A nutrition expert at Utah State University, Oluyemisi Akinsola, has called on the government to incorporate age-appropriate nutrition education into school curriculum to combat rising cases of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Speaking in a statement released on Wednesday, Akinsola said Nigeria must take nutrition education seriously to tackle poor dietary habits and misinformation, particularly among young people.
Akinsola advocates that schools should integrate age-appropriate food and health topics into the curriculum so that the next generation can make informed choices.
She noted, “Public health campaigns on radio, television, and social media should be used to counter misleading trends with science-backed information, delivered in local languages and culturally relevant formats.
“Government agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ans the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have a role to play, too. They must step up efforts to regulate false health claims, especially online, where misinformation spreads rapidly.
“At the same time, investments should be made to train and deploy more dietitians across every local government area, ensuring that communities have access to accurate, evidence-based advice.”
The nutrition researcher stated that across Nigeria, people are making food choices based on what they see on social media, hear from friends, or are told by self-proclaimed health experts, adding that detox teas, juice cleanses, high protein diets, weight-loss diets etc are gaining traction, not because they are backed by science, but because they are trending.
She said many of the diet fads are grounded in misinformation, and the consequences are becoming alarmingly clear, revealing that data from the 2021 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey shows that only 31 per cent of children between the ages of six and 23 months receive a minimum acceptable diet.
Akinsola stressed that nutrition challenges are compounded by the current economic climate, marked by a steep and widespread surge in food prices revealing that according to the December 2024 Selected Food Price Watch, the average cost of food items rose by 91.6% year-on-year, from ₦1,524.63 in December 2023 to ₦2,920.13 in December 2024.
She added that staple foods were particularly affected, with brown beans (1kg) recording the highest price hike of 187.29%, increasing from ₦870.67 to ₦2,501.32. Onion bulbs (1kg) also rose significantly by 111.74%, reaching ₦2,057.81 from ₦971.86 the previous year.
“Other essentials such as local rice, beef, and palm oil also experienced notable increases, all contributing to the overall strain on household food budgets.
“This sharp escalation in food costs makes it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford nutritious foods, pushing them toward cheaper, less healthy alternatives and raising concerns about food security and dietary quality,” she said.
She further explained that urban centres are witnessing a steady rise in overweight and obesity, particularly among adults, emphasising that the World Health Organisation posits NCDS such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease now account for nearly 28% per cent of all deaths in Nigeria, hence the need for nutrition education.
“Nutrition is rarely part of our everyday conversations in schools, communities, or even health clinics. Unlike mathematics or biology, nutrition education is not systematically taught in classrooms.
“Children grow up with limited understanding of basic concepts such as balanced diets, food groups, or how to read a nutrition label. As adults, they remain vulnerable to diet-related myths that can lead to poor health outcomes,” she stated.
Akinsola further noted that public health campaigns on radio, TV, and social media should be used to counter misleading trends with science-backed information, delivered in local languages and culturally relevant formats, adding that stakeholders such as NAFDAC, Federal Ministry of Health and individuals have a role to play, too.
“They must step up efforts to regulate false health claims, especially online, where misinformation spreads rapidly. At the same time, investments should be made to train and deploy more dietitians across every local government area, ensuring that communities have access to accurate, evidence-based advice.
“As readers, we all have a part to play. Before trying the latest diet trend or buying the next “slimming tea,” ask yourself: Is this backed by evidence? Who is recommending it? And are they qualified? Be critical. Share verified information. Encourage friends and family to speak to registered dietitians or nutritionists when they have concerns about their diet,” she added.
Recently, UNICEF said 1.3 million children (under the age of five) suffering from severe acute malnutrition can lose access to treatment, leaving them at heightened risk of death.
Speaking on funding gaps, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, Kitty Palais, said, “Nigeria, where around 80,000 children per month require treatment, we could run out of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food supplies sometime between this month and the end of May. But the focus cannot just be on RUTF – or treating a child once they become severely malnourished.
“Programmes must deliver services to prevent children from becoming malnourished in the first place – this includes support for breastfeeding, access to micronutrient supplementation such as Vitamin A and ensuring they get the health services they need for other illnesses.”
Credit: THE PUNCH
