While fortifying staple foods, such as wheat flour and salt, has become routine in urban parts of malnutrition-prone Africa, bio-fortification - the breeding of more nutritious vegetables, grains and pulses - is still a relatively new phenomenon for Africa, but it is set to explode over the next decade, say food security experts.
Depression is a symptom of some physical diseases; a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments; and a symptom of some mood disorders such as major depressive disorder or dysthymia. Physical causes are ruled out with a clinical assessment of depression that measures vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and hormones. Management of depression may involve a number of different therapies: medications, behavioUr therapy, psychotherapy, and medical devices.
According to the World Health Organisation, affects over 300 million people worldwide. But why the focus on talking about depression? Unlike a gaping wound that is easily visible to all, attracting concern and action, Depression is largely hidden. It is not well understood by many and the signs and symptoms may vary. To change this prevailing situation, we need to talk about it, understand what it is, who it affects and how to overcome it.
Similar to depression, malnutrition is widespread and often hidden. Over 1.6 billion people worldwide suffer from anaemia , the result of a micronutrient deficiency. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 795 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were chronically undernourished in the period 2014-2016. And almost half of all child deaths are caused by poor malnutrition.
Yet only in recent years has momentum gained to address malnutrition. Evidence has shown the long-lasting and often irreversible damage caused by chronic malnutrition during the first 1000 days of life, and the resulting negative impact not just on the health and prosperity of individuals, but communities and nations. Economically, it makes excellent sense to address malnutrition. For every $1 invested in nutrition, the data shows that there is a return of up to $16 . With this revelation, countries are now investing early in nutrition.
Progress has been slow and minimal action has been taken to address malnutrition! Why? Like depression, malnutrition is often misunderstood and symptoms may vary. "The child is full. S/he doesn't cry for food. How can s/he be malnourished?" In our society, it is a common misunderstanding that it is not sufficient to have enough food. For good nutrition, it is vital to have enough of the right kind of food taken in the right environment. For instance one may have enough nutritious food, but poor sanitation may result in diarrhea that renders the body incapable of utilising all the nutrients in the food.
There is hope, as more people become better informed, more action is being taken to eliminate malnutrition. Global leaders, including in sub-Saharan Africa, recognise the need to prioritise nutrition as critical to the continent's development.
However, much more still needs to be done by everyone, from farmers who produce the diverse and nutritious food we need to parents who buy and prepare food for their children.
Let's talk about malnutrition and share knowledge. Let's talk about depression. Let's talk about nutrition. Let's talk and educate ourselves, firstly to understand what is behind these aggregated numbers. Secondly to understand the causes, the drivers, and the solutions.
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