Sunday, December 22, 2024
21.2 C
Lagos

High Cost: Major Reason for Protein Deficiency in Nigeria

Nutritionists and public health experts have identified high cost as the major reason for protein deficiency in Nigeria.

Speaking during a webinar on Nigeria’s Food Culture and the Challenge of Protein Deficiency, Dr. Omadeli Boyo, Medical Director of Pinecrest Specialist Hospital lamented that carbohydrates such as rice and garri constitutes the most commonly consumed food in the country mainly because many families cannot afford such protein foods such as egg and beans regularly.

Boyo, who is also a public health expert, described protein as the building block of the human body system. He traced a link between low consumption of protein foods and malnutrition. He identified four major types of malnutrition as iron deficiency anaemia, protein-energy deficiency, vitamin A and iodine deficiency disorder.

As a solution, Boyo called for dietary diversification in Nigeria in form of healthy diet by families as follows:

  • Eating balanced diet that contains a variety of nutritious foods
  • Prepare such foods using the best cooking methods
  • Eating in the right proportion
  • Limit total fats consumption, especially saturated fats
  • Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts
  • Limit intake of sugar

Boyo tasked the government on the challenge of malnutrition by sensitizing communities and attitudes, running awareness campaigns regarding the benefits of meals rich in proteins and ensuring buy-in by stakeholders such as women, farmers, traditional institutions, labour unions and the media.

He also called on the government to educate communities on the danger and causes of malnutrition, explain the link between malnutrition and disease/growth disorders and also enact acceptable policies to address the situation.

Mr. Ezekiel Ibrahim, President, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) described chicken as the cheapest source of animal protein in the country. He decried the high cost of poultry production in Nigeria, lamenting that the country effectively abandoned agriculture because of oil, even when the agric sector employs about 60 percent of Nigerians who reside in rural areas.

On his part, Mr. Lanre Fasakin, the Managing Director of CMRG, a leading research firm, said a survey conducted by his firm concluded that Nigerians appreciate the essence of protein and its nutritious impact.

Fasakin said: “High cost is the major hindrance to protein consumption in Nigeria. The issue of double AA (availability and affordability) is key.”

He recommended that people should go for protein foods that are readily available and affordable, rather asking families to eat what they cannot afford to buy.

The Protein Deficiency Awareness Webinar was designed to create awareness on the importance of consuming foods rich in protein to effectively tackle the growing problem of malnutrition in the country.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

PenCom Targets N22tn Pension Contributions by End 2024

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it expects pension...

PalmPay, Jumia Launch Holiday Campaign to Reward Users

This holiday season just got a whole lot more...

Adekunle Gold, Wande Coal, Young Jonn Set to Thrill Fans at Lagos Shopping Festival

Lagosians are in for the most exciting music extravaganza...

Mediacraft Associates Continues to Blaze the Trail in Awards

  Group CEO Voted ‘Legend of Marketing Comms’ John Ehiguese, CEO...

Committee of Banks in Nigeria Donates Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

The Committee of Banks in Nigeria on Thursday lifted...

Topics

COVID-19: AstraZeneca, BrandMed Commits to African Patients

  The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing burden of non-communicable...

Adeosun:‘Commitment to Accountability, Transparency Non-Negotiable’

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has challenged...

Centre for Financial Journalism Launched in Nigeria

The Centre for Financial Journalism has been launched...

Akporjii of Nigeria Elected Secretary, African Housing Finance Union

The members of the African Union for Housing Finance...

NPA MD Seeks Greater Support from Stakeholders on Port Access

Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)...

CRC Credit Bureau Unveils Data Submission API

CRC Credit Bureau has launched its Data Submission Application...

CTO to Celebrate 115 Years of Existence

Activities to mark the 115th anniversary of the Commonwealth...

Fidelity Bank Debunks Online Video Alleging Violence Against Customer

Fidelity Bank Plc has strongly debunked a video circulating...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img