Sodiq Ojuroungbe A recent survey by the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, shows that 99.9 per cent of school-age children do not receive enough calcium and other minerals needed for normal growth. The data collection carried out by a group of researchers from the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics discovered that several pupils consumed a lot of unhealthy food deficient in fruit, legumes, and animal protein.
A co-lead investigator in the survey, Dr Oluwaseun Ariyo, revealed the outcome of the survey during a one-day workshop tagged ‘Ibadan Kids Nutrition and Health Survey’, held at the institution. According to him, an alarming number of children do not consume the recommended amounts of calcium and other minerals for their age. He also noted that students who do not take appropriate care of their health are less able to study.
Ariyo disclosed that the study on children’s food intake was conducted in five local governments – Ibadan North, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast. He said, “Seven per cent of the children suffer from overweight and obesity, more than 10 per cent suffer undernutrition, indicating that malnutrition is still a big problem in the state, meaning, there’s an urgent need for government and other stakeholders to put in necessary interventions to address it.” Ariyo suggested that soya beans, peanuts and vegetables, which are sources of micronutrients should be included in children’s diet.
“These children are growing and w.
