The Nutrition Society of Nigeria in collaboration with the Institute of Dietetics Association of Nigeria has initiated a community outreach to promote good nutrition and lifestyle habits in Kaduna State.
Chairperson of the society, Hajiya Hauwa Usman, said the initiative is meant to create awareness on nutrition at Rigasa community in Igabi Local Government Area of the state, was part of activities lined up to commemorate the Nutrition and Dietetics Day.
Usman explained that it was majorly targeted at lactating mothers, pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
“One of our activities is community outreach. We check lactating mothers, pregnant women, women of childbearing age, adults, elderly men and women, among others.
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“We are also conducting checks on the children to see if they have any deficiency in nutrition by taking their anthropometric measurements such as weight and height. It would help us to find out if a child is suffering from severe acute malnutrition,” she said.
Usman noted that children found with severe acute malnutrition would be referred to the hospital, while those with moderate malnutrition would be given Micro Nutrients Powder, to get adequate nutrition.
She said adults would have their blood pressure and sugar level checked, and would also be given referrals for proper medical attention.
The chairperson said nutritionists would teach the beneficiaries correct dietary management and healthy tips during the exercise.
She further revealed that Basal Metabolic Index check would be conducted for underweight and overweight people, adding that they would be guided on measures to take in terms of nutrition for healthy living.
“If you ask people to identify those that work in the hospital, they would mention doctors and nurses and exclude dietitians. That is why we want to let them know us and what we do. Let them know that we don’t take care of children only, we also take care of healthy and sick people by prescribing diet in place of medicine” she added.
While commending the Kaduna state government for recruiting nutritionists in secondary health facilities, Usman urged the people to visit nutritionists and dietitians for advice on diet management.
Some of the beneficiaries commended the gesture, describing it as “a step in the right direction.”
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