MALNUTRITION AND UNDER NUTRITION: TWO CONTEMPORARY HEALTH PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The several economic reforms in Nigeria since 1986 beginning with the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) marked the beginning of a considerable decrease in real income and an unparalleled increase in food prices. These various economic reforms, over the years have stimulated reduced food consumption in Nigerian households leading to under-nutrition (reduced quantity of food consumed), particularly that of nutritious foods, (inadequate diet) and an increase in malnutrition (not consuming sufficient or all the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body). The shrinking of funds to both the educational and health sectors also contributed greatly to the almost complete destruction of school nutrition programmes (school meals) and nutrition oriented health delivery services (hospital meals). Different surveys of nutritional assessment in Nigeria reveal low intakes of protein, energy, iron, calcium, zinc, thiamin, and riboflavin in almost all age groups and in both sexes. The underlying causes of malnutrition in Nigeria are poverty, inadequate food production, inadequate food intake, ignorance, poor food preservation techniques, improper preparation of foods, food restrictions and taboos, and poor sanitation; while the main cause of under-nutrition is poverty. Economic reforms will likely continue irrespective of the government of the day, so Nigeria really needs sustainable remedies to alleviate under-nutrition. Recommended remedial programmes which support food production and preservation; integrating nutrition education in primary health care programmes; and in educational curricula are ways forward in curbing malnutrition and under-nutrition.