Why Nutrition is a sensitive priority for Adolescents
By Elias Hakizimana.
Adolescence is a critical period of growth and development. As adolescents go through the second growth spurt in this period, it is crucial that they receive the required nutrients. —WHO.
Health experts say that Adolescent Nutrition is a priority among other categories of the population on which the future generation depends.
Private Kamanzi, Dietetics Nutritionist from Amazon Nutrition Cabinet said that nutrition is very important in two ways, one being the period of Adolescence because it is the critical period of development for human being.
“Because adolescence is the period that connects a person from the childhood to the elderly stage. So, we need to have well-nourished adolescents so that we break the sequence, the cycle for malnutrition and its consequences from one generation to another.” Kamanzi said.
Private Kamanzi, Dietetics Nutritionist from Amazon Nutrition Cabinet highlighting that nutrition is very important among Adolescents/ Photo by Elias.H
The—WHO report on Improvement of Nutritional Status of Adolescents in the survey done in the South East Asia Region states that while a large number of adolescents suffer from chronic undernutrition, those belonging to the affluent segments of society may suffer from obesity.
“Both conditions however compromise adolescents’ general health and performance. Chronic malnutrition, including anaemia, aggravates risks during pregnancy, especially amongst adolescents. Regional data shows high prevalence of anaemia in adolescent girls (upto 66%) and boys (upto 45%) in some areas.” Says the report.
This high rate of anaemia not only contributes to increased morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy and delivery, but also to increased risk of producing low birth weight babies. “In this way, poor nutritional status is passed on from generation to generation.” The report highlights.
Speaking to The Inspirer amid one-day training of selected adolescents organized by Sun Alliance Rwanda on July 9, 2020 in Kigali, Kamanzi reiterated that Adolescents should be involved in the fight against malnutrition as they play a role in the development of the country.
“We try to involve adolescents as they play a role in the development of the country, when they have a positive perspective of nutrition, its crosscutting and inter-relationship between the development of the nation and nutrition, they will effectively impact the community whose big number is made by youth and adolescents, “he said.
Dr. Florence Sibomana, a young female medical Doctor in Rwanda and member of Global Youth Leaders for Nutrition under Scaling Up Civil Society Network launched a new project to further Adolescents’ capacity to be involved in the fight against malnutrition in their communities.
Dubbed ‘Youth Powered Nutrition Project’ it aims at raising awareness for Improved Youth Health and Nutrition by educating young adolescents to be on advocacy part on behalf of the general community.
“I tried to identify different youth-led organizations and different networks where I could find young people and I contacted them, we came up to get more than 150 applicants but we selected only 30 from districts’ youth champions where each young champion represents each district in Rwanda. We trained them to be equipped with knowledge and skills about advocacy on nutrition and how the subject is crosscutting with other issues like Gender, Education, Economy, Hygienne and Adolescents and Sexual Reproductive Health.” She noted.
Venuste Muhamyankaka, Executive Director of Sun Alliance Rwanda said there are many expectations from trained youth champions in making significant change of people’s mindset towards an improved nutrition.
“Youth is the largest segment of population with critical growth period in terms of nutrients needs, but compromised by various factors. We believe that youth champions will mobilize, communicate and advocate for improved nutrition and health of peer adolescents.” Muhamyankaka said.
Trained youth champions said they will show their role in their communities in regard with what can be a solution to malnutrition.
Nziza Irene Muhoracyeye, 23, is from Bumbogo sector in Gasabo district, Kigali city. She has an education background in nutrition from the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences. After the training she said she gained a lot to complement her package of knowledge to advise the community on best practices in fighting malnutrition.
“This programme will help us to achieve a lot in our communities, we will help pregnant adolescents and the community in general to fight malnutrition,” she said.
Providence Uwizeyimana, 24, is another young champion of Nutrition from Nyabihu District. She said that youth have rights to contribute to domestic diet preparation. She noted that many parents in Nyabihu district still have a mindset to sell all the nutrient crops and forget to nourish children.
“I will help my community to change such a mindset through upcoming nutrition campaigns,” she noted.
Current data of malnutrition in Rwanda remain at 38 percent, making almost half of children in the country. Malnutrition can easily affect the child’s brain, body immunity and academic performance as well as his/her future career. It can also reduce 3% of the national Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
The 2015 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) showed that Nyabihu had the highest rate of preventable stunting in children under five years of any district, recording 59 per cent stunting rate, above the national average of 38 per cent.
The districts with high malnutrition prevalence include Rusizi, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu in Western Province plus Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Huye and Ruhango in Southern Province.
Kayonza and Bugesera are the districts with the highest stunting in Eastern Province while in Northern Province there’s only Gakenke.
Rwanda aims to reduce stunted growth among children under 5 years old to 19 per cent by 2024.
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