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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Health Buzz
The adage “health is wealth” rings true every time I hear it.
As humans, when we fall sick, that is when we realise that usually we take for granted our ability to do things for ourselves.
Suddenly, we do not have the currency to enjoy life’s pleasures and we have to rely on others to assist us.
The adage rings particularly true when one considers the impact of childhood health on adult outcomes.
The world over, there is a growing concern that the chronic diseases and conditions we see today could be a result of poor health of those people when they were children.
A growing body of research suggests that the early years of life are critical for laying the foundation for future health and well-being. Factors such as nutrition, exposure to toxins, social and emotional development can have lasting consequences.
Zimbabwe and indeed many other developing countries, is faced with a growing challenge of malnutrition among children below the age of five and according to experts, the problem of under-nutrition and over-nutrition may cause a lifetime of health and social challenges as well as a higher risk of chronic diseases later in life.
The experts contend that proper nutrition during childhood is essential for optimal growth and development. This is because malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, cognitive delays and weakened immune systems.
These early deficiencies can have long-term effects on physical and mental health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and obesity in adulthood.
Ministry of Health and Child Care director Family Health, Dr Dorcas Mutede, contends that what the child is fed in the formative years has a bearing on how they grow.
“Regarding nutrition, we have to balance it so that our children are not under nourished but they are not also over nourished because both extremes are not good for them. We know that as children are growing up, we like to see that chubby baby and we think this is a sign of good health but actually it then predisposes them later on to challenges. That obesity will carry on into puberty and even into adulthood and then they have problems, so it is important to have appropriate food and to try and reduce our fast foods. We want a balanced diet where we have got our vegetables our proteins our appropriate carbohydrates and also our fruits so that we have a proper diet in the proper quantities,” she said.
The country is performing poorly in terms of addressing malnutrition rates with the global acute malnutrition rates currently standing at 5,6 percent against a target of less than five percent. The rate of severe acute malnutrition is 1,4 percent while the overweight indicator is also high at 5,2 percent.
“Zimbabwe is currently seeing a trend where we have got more children who are becoming obese. If they become obese, especially in the formative years, or as they are growing older in their teenage years, then they actually become overtly obese and the challenges of hypertension and diabetes also set in. So nutrition is very important in the formative years,” she said.
While obesity is a growing concern, a significant portion of children is not receiving the adequate nutrients needed for them to grow.
According to the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the prevalence of stunting among children below the age of five stands at 23,5 percent, which is much higher than the target of 17 percent by 2025 set in the National Development Strategy 1. The Urban Livelihood Assessment also puts stunting rates at 23,2 percent.
What this means is that many children are not getting enough nutrition.
So if a child does not get enough nutrition in the formative years, it then interferes with their brain growth and they will not be able to function properly, thus affecting their productivity when they grow.
But it is not only the food that a child eats which has an impact on their adulthood.
Experts warn that exposure to harmful substances, such as lead and air pollutants, during childhood can also have serious health consequences. Lead poisoning can damage the brain and nervous system, leading to learning disabilities, behavioural problems, and reduced cognitive function. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to respiratory problems; asthma and increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Childhood experiences also play a crucial role in shaping adult health.
Adverse childhood experiences such as abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence, can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being.
These experiences can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and chronic diseases when they grow up.
What needs to be done?
Food and Nutrition Council (FNC) deputy director nutrition Ms Siboniso Chigova concurs that the food a child eats has an impact on their life.
She recommends that children should always get balanced meals.
But that does not mean people should go out of their way to buy expensive food.
The food should just be healthy.
“When we are talking about nutritious food for infants, the issue is about looking at the family pot. What is the family accessing, what are they consuming as a household?
But what defines how the child grows is maybe the way we are preparing it. For instance, if you have sugar beans, traditional grain and dried vegetables, it is about mashing the three and you provide that to your child. So if a child is consuming that half cup full of a porridge, it’s already enriched with the diverse nutrients. It is about maximising the food that we have,” she said.
Besides nutrition, investing in preventive care is also essential for promoting lifelong health.
Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and early interventions can help identify and address potential health issues before they become more serious. Additionally, promoting healthy lifestyle habits, such as balanced diets and regular exercise, can set children on a positive trajectory for their future well-being.
After all, the health of a child is a valuable investment in their future. By nurturing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being from a young age, they can be equipped with the tools they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
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Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter