daniel chigunwe
Food insecurity and inflation have caused a significant nutritional deficiency, affecting the overall physical health and psychosocial development of the country’s people.
Shockingly, this lack of essential nutrients has been linked to behavioural and sleep problems in children and the emergence of chronic health concerns like cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.
In a recent interview with IOL Lifestyle, Leanne Keizer, Corporate Affairs Manager at Danone Southern Africa, emphasised the significance of examining micro-nutrient deficiencies in the South African population and the indispensability of closing this micro-nutrient gap.
“It is more crucial than ever to guarantee that people have access to essential nutrients for optimal physical and emotional health because the availability of inexpensive and healthy food options is fast diminishing. Addressing this health epidemic and encouraging good eating among all South Africans are essential,” said Keizer in conversation.
Keizer further notes that there are three crucial nutrients that the South African population is currently struggling to obtain through their diets. That being Vitamin A, Iron, and Zinc.
According to her, these micro-nutrients are essential in supporting a child’s overall well-being.Children are often the group closely studied as their micro-deficiency levels provide an indicator of the overall picture of the population.
Bongani Ndlovu