Angela Onwuzoo Nutrition experts have identified a lack of adequate dietary knowledge as one of the major reasons many Nigerians do not make efforts to include fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains in their diet. The nutritionists said healthy foods which are required to promote health and well-being are not adequately represented in the daily diets of many households in the country. This poor knowledge of food choices they noted was contributing to the alarming rate of non-communicable diseases in the country, adding that death from these diseases could be prevented through a healthy diet.
Experts say food choices and consumption patterns strongly predict overall health, wellness, and pregnancy outcomes among women of reproductive age. The experts who spoke exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise said the impact of poor dietary intake among mothers was severe for both the mother and child, resulting in increased maternal and child morbidity and mortality A nutritionist at the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr. Ariyo Oluwaseun, said cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death globally.
Oluwaseun said, “Globally, it is estimated that about 30,140 people die daily due to poor diet. This is higher than the number of deaths from tobacco and high blood pressure. “Many of these deaths are preventable if adequate attention is paid to what we eat and drink.
” The nutritionist who gave insight into the characteristics of an unhealthy diet.
