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OPINION

By Sarah Kyobe

One week ago, the prime minister's office, UNICEF, and other development partners held the third National Nutrition Forum (NNF) 2024 at Mestil Hotel to address nutrition concerns.

I was one of the individuals present at the forum. Civil society, academia, development partners, Government ministries, departments, and agencies analyzed various presentations on the nutrition challenges and achievements in Uganda and the progress made in addressing them. For someone without knowledge of nutrition, it simply involves consuming a nutritious and well-rounded diet. Eating and drinking supply the necessary energy and nutrients for good health. Eating a nutritious diet means consuming foods that are high in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats, dietary fiber, and water.

Worldwide, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2022, approximately 148.1 million children under five were identified as stunted, with 45 million being wasted and 37 million overweight. Global rates of stunting were 1.6 times greater in rural areas compared to urban areas, while rates of wasting were 1.4 times higher in rural areas. The rate of overweight in urban children was slightly more than in rural children, with 5.4 percent compared to 3.5 percent.

In Uganda, the nutritional data is as stated.

Stunting affects 25.4% of children who are under 5 years old.

Wasting affects 3.6% of children below the age of 5.

Approximately 2.9% of children under 5 years old are classified as overweight.

Obesity affects 10.4% of adult women and 2.3% of adult men.

Almost half of children under 5 are anemic, with about one-third of women of childbearing age also suffering from this condition. Furthermore, deficiencies in micronutrients are prevalent among certain groups: 29.5% of children under 5 years old suffer from Vitamin A deficiency, 43.3% have iron deficiency, and 23.2% of women of reproductive age are affected by iodine deficiency. Although Uganda is a major source of food in East Africa, poor eating habits among the population have resulted in both children and adults facing the risk of malnutrition.

According to food systems and nutrition consultant Asiimwe Charles, just seven percent of children are eating a proper diet while the majority, 93 percent, are not. An unhealthy diet has caused children to become obese, malnourished, stunted, or underweight, leading to an increase in non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. Parents or caregivers should monitor the meals their children eat, the way it is cooked, and the portion sizes provided to them.

Experts identified junk food advertising, reliance on agriculture for income, unpredictable weather patterns, diseases and pests, and frequent droughts as the primary factors contributing to poor nutrition. Yes, the experts are correct, but I firmly believe that the lack of nutrition knowledge is the main cause of poor nutrition in the country.

If Ugandans understood these factors and their effects on nutrition, I think they would take the necessary steps towards proper nutrition. Understanding these factors, one will realize that it is not ethical to sell all fruits or vegetables without first ensuring their own family has access to them for improved physical growth. During the forum, a fellow attendee excitedly told me about how his uncle allowed them to eat mangoes that were damaged, while the best ones were sold for profit. This demonstrates the lack of awareness parents or guardians have about the significance of the foods in their environment.

Considering this, nutrition experts and sponsors need to prioritize educating the public about the role of local foods in body development while addressing other nutrition-related challenges.

The writer works with the Uganda Media Centre