By Beaven Dhliwayo
Harare – A huge number of children and adults in Zimbabwe are still victims of malnutrition and their lives have been deeply altered by its effects, according to the Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance.
Kudakwashe Zombe, a nutritionist says child malnutrition is widespread and is limiting the future success of millions of children and their nations in third world countries.
“Globally under nutrition is estimated to cause 3.1 million child deaths annually or 45% of all child deaths.
“In Zimbabwe, major nutrition problems relate mainly to undernourishment, nearly 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 years is experiencing episodes of persistent under nutrition.
Of the children between 6-59 months 21% suffer from shortage of vitamin A, 72% do not have adequate iron in their bodies and 32% suffer from anemia,” he said.
Nutritionist, Zombe said the situation needs to be changed because of its consequences on the general populace and country’s growth.
He said lack of proper nutrition diminishes the physical and intellectual capabilities of children.
“It affects their levels of productivity in adulthood and can have far reaching consequences on a country’s development and economic growth.
“The damage done by malnutrition between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday translates into huge economic burden to countries of billions in lost productivity and avoidable health care cost.
“Malnutrition early in life can cause irreversible damage to children’s brain development and their physical growth, leading to a diminished capacity to learn, poorer performance in school, greater susceptibility to infection and diseases and a lifetime of lost earning potential,” he added.
Good nutrition results from eating adequate food in terms of quality, quantity, safety and absence of diseases which cause poor absorption and utilization of nutrients in the body.
In addition, good nutrition is essential for survival, growth, mental and physical development of human beings.
Adequate nutrition is also crucial for enhancing immunity and hence reducing morbidity and mortality.
Zombe added that malnutrition on the other hand is a broad term commonly used as an alternative to under nutrition but technically it also refers to over nutrition.
“People are malnourished if their diet does not provide adequate nutrients and calories for growth and maintenance or they are unable to fully utilise the food they eat due to illness (under nutrition).
“They are also said to be malnourished if they consume too many nutrients and calories (over nutrition),” he said.
Zombe also said child malnutrition is widespread and is limiting the future success of millions of children and their nations in third world countries.
“Globally under nutrition is estimated to cause 3.1 million child deaths annually or 45% of all child deaths.
“In Zimbabwe, major nutrition problems relate mainly to undernourishment, nearly 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 years is experiencing episodes of persistent under nutrition.
Of the children between 6-59 months 21% suffer from shortage of vitamin A, 72% do not have adequate iron in their bodies and 32% suffer from anemia,” he said.
Nutritionist, Zombe said the situation needs to be changed because of its consequences on the general populace and country’s growth.
He said lack of proper nutrition diminishes the physical and intellectual capabilities of children.
“It affects their levels of productivity in adulthood and can have far reaching consequences on a country’s development and economic growth.
“The damage done by malnutrition between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday translates into huge economic burden to countries of billions in lost productivity and avoidable health care cost.
“Malnutrition early in life can cause irreversible damage to children’s brain development and their physical growth, leading to a diminished capacity to learn, poorer performance in school, greater susceptibility to infection and diseases and a lifetime of lost earning potential,” he added.
“As children grow strong and healthy, so do communities and countries, thus ending the cycle of poverty.
“Investing in good nutrition not only averts future spending on healthcare, it can also increase productivity for an entire country,” he said.
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