week
2 October 2007
The Department of Health will next week launch the National Nutrition Week,
which will highlight the importance of eating a healthy meal, especially one
with fruits and vegetables.
National Nutrition Week takes place from 9 to 13 October and the theme this
year is 'the right to food'. The Department of Health aims to educate South
Africans of the benefits of eating healthily, from birth to old age,
specifically the positive spin-offs of eating more vegetable and fruits, in
partnership with the 5-a-Day for Better Health Trust.
As a developing country, South Africa faces challenges of both
under-nutrition and over-nutrition, both of which play a role in the
development of chronic diseases. Risks associated with chronic diseases begin
even before the baby is born and continues into old age.
According to the World Health Organisation, growth retardation in the womb
is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high
blood pressure.
Short height, which is an indication of chronic under-nutrition in
childhood, is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and to
some extent, diabetes. More than 60% of overweight children have a risk for
developing heart disease.
Therefore the right to food starts during pregnancy.
The Department of Health encourages pregnant mothers especially, to:
* eat a variety of food
* take iron supplements through the duration of pregnancy
* take folic acid tablets before falling pregnant and for the first four months
of pregnancy to avoid neural tube birth defects
* to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy as it is harmful to
the unborn baby.
The Right to Food should give a child the best start in life, for
example:
* give breast milk only and no other food, water or formula for the first
six months of life
* at the age of six months, introduce sufficient and nutritious foods starting
with soft fortified maize meal porridge, vegetables and fruit. Continue
breastfeeding until the baby is two years and older unless medically
contra-indicated
* get a vitamin A capsule at government clinics every six months from the age
of six months until five years of age.
The Right to Food should not lead to childhood obesity and chronic diseases
later in life, for example:
* eat at least three healthy meals, which consist of a variety of food every
day
* eat plenty of vegetables and fruit every day
* eat fats and foods and drinks containing sugar sparingly
For more information contact:
Maude de Hoop
Tel: 012 312 0041
Issued by: Department of Health
2 October 2007
