Available statistic indicate that over two billion people on the planet suffer from malnutrition. According to Punch Nigeria, it is the main cause of over two million children’s death each year. Developing countries like Nigeria also records a high number of children who die from this condition every year. Let us take a look at the top ten causes of malnutrition in Nigeria in 2017.
Child Malnutrition in Nigeria
Malnutrition is a dangerous health condition brought about by an imbalance/lack of necessary nutrients and sufficient food. The key point here is the imbalance of nutrients in the body. It can lead to various diseases which can harm the human body.
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Malnutrition sabotages the functions of organs in the human body, this is one fact that everyone should know. It is extremely dangerous for children as their bodies are not that strong like in a full grown adult. If a child does not eat enough, his body does not get enough nutrients to grow properly.
What are the main causes of malnutrition in Nigeria?
Malnutrition as a health condition can happen due to various problems. Do not mistake it with undernutrition where poor citizens cannot get enough food. Malnutrition is a health condition where you cannot get enough nutrients in your body. Let us take a look at the main causes of malnutrition in Nigeria.
1. Imbalanced diet
The main reason for malnutrition in Nigeria is the lack of healthy diet. The poverty level in Nigeria is pretty high, that is why a lot of children do not have access to the whole range of products needed for their growth. Adults are also careless about their children’s eating habits. They tend to forget what a balanced food should look like.
Plenty of unhealthy products in the body may lead to various health diseases. For instance, malnutrition can cause obesity or even heart attack. It can also lead to lethal consequences.
2. Harmful Meals
Indigestible or harmful meals can be the cause of malnutrition. Even rich kids may have problems with malnutrition. The reason for this is fast food. Children tend to like eating foods like chips, crisps, burgers, etc, however, constant consumption of these meals may lead to digestive tract issues and obesity. This food may fill up their bellies but won’t provide enough nutrients for their body.
3. Unclean Environment
Nigerian environments are not always known to be really clean. An unclean environment may be defined as one of the leading causes of malnutrition in Nigeria, especially in public restaurants. People do not follow the rules of hygiene even at their homes.
It is necessary to clean and wash fruits, vegetables, meat and fish before consuming them. Do not forget to wash your hands before any meal. Clean your house regularly as an unclean environment can change the quality of products.
4. Irregular meal times
We are currently living in a fast paced world and it is almost impossible to always eat on time. Do not forget that irregular food consumption may lead to malnutrition. Our body needs to constantly get food to function properly.
5. No sound sleep
This may sound ridiculous to many who cannot understand how sound sleep is connected to malnutrition. However, it is a fact that a person needs to get enough sleep so his/her body can work properly. With constant stress, overworking and irregular meal consumption, you will not be able to get good sleep. Therefore, you can expect to have problems with your digestive tract and other organs of the body.
6. Diseases
Do not forget that if you have any kind of disease, you will need a proper diet to heal. Your disease will try to take over your body and you will only be helping it you do not get enough nutrients. When you are ill, you will have to consume healthy meals on time so that you will get better.
7. Negligence
A lot of people in Nigeria choose malnutrition over eating healthy; do not be one of these people. Do not contribute to the problem of malnutrition in Nigeria. You should always try to eat healthy and regularly to stay in tune.
8. Dysphagia
This disease causes itching of the teeth. A person who suffers from this condition will have problems consuming food and some can even experience problems in swallowing their food. If you have the symptoms of this disease, you need to seek help in the nearest hospital.
9. No exercise
Everybody needs some kind of physical activity from time to time for our body to stay healthy. Therefore, you have to satisfy this need. Try to invest some time in physical exercises, this will help with any nutrition problem you may have.
10. Overworking
Malnutrition in Nigeria is also connected with overworking. Do not forget that you need energy to work properly and if you use up too much energy, you will have problems with your body.
Prevention of malnutrition in Nigeria
The main cause of malnutrition these days lies with the individual in question; we live in the twenty-first century and majority of the population have the ability to eat right. The federal government may provide food to help people suffering from poverty, natural disasters or terrorist attacks, but majority of Nigerians are more than capable of forming better eating habits by themselves. Do not be ignorant of this problem. Choose healthy and sound diets always to live a normal life.
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Source: Naija.ng