Experts warn that rising food costs in Nigeria may lead to widespread malnutrition, especially among children under five, if swift action is not taken to address the issue.
They pointed out that prior to the current economic turmoil, more than 50 percent of women of reproductive age were already having difficulties affording nutritious meals.
The nutritionists emphasized that the ongoing economic crisis has exacerbated the situation, aligning with the recent findings from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Earlier reports from NAIJATRAFFIC indicated that the June ‘Cost of Healthy Diet’ report, prepared by the NBS and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, revealed that the average expenditure on a healthy diet for an adult Nigerian surged from ₦858 in January to ₦1,241 by June 2024.
The report highlighted a 45 percent increase in the cost of a healthy diet during the first half of 2024.
During the same timeframe, overall inflation and food inflation rose to 33 percent and 40 percent respectively.
Furthermore, the NBS reported that the June figure was 19 percent higher than the ₦1,041 per adult per day noted in May 2024.
The World Bank defines the cost of a healthy diet as the expense of procuring the cheapest available local foods necessary to meet energy and dietary guidelines, adjusted for current purchasing power.
The report indicated that the primary contributors to the increase in the cost of a healthy diet were vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and starchy staples, with starchy staples experiencing the least month-to-month price rise.
NAIJATRAFFIC learned that the nutrition specialists expressed serious concerns regarding the 45 percent increase in the cost of a healthy diet, stressing its critical consequences for both adults and children under five.
Dr. James Oloyede, the Director of Nutrition Services and Health Education at the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, highlighted that the inability to afford a nutritious diet could lead to severe acute malnutrition and wasting in young children, as there are no effective substitutes for proper nutrition.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is characterized by very low weight-for-height, weight-for-length, clinical signs of bilateral pitting edema, or a significantly low mid-upper arm circumference.
The devastating impact of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is felt by approximately 19 million children under the age of five worldwide, resulting in a staggering 400,000 fatalities each year.
When financial constraints limit access to nutritious food, essential nutrients are lacking, hindering optimal growth and development.
As Oloyede emphasized, this deficiency precipitates malnutrition, which can manifest in three distinct forms, posing a significant threat to the well-being of vulnerable young children.
Dr James
He said, “Even before the current economic crisis, over 50 per cent of women of reproductive age could not afford a healthy diet in the country. A study on the food nutrient gap in Nigeria found that no more than 50 per cent of women can afford a nutritious diet.
“When individuals do not consume an adequate, high-quality diet, it leads to undernutrition. For children, this results in acute wasting, where the child’s weight is significantly lower than expected for their height.
“Acute wasting is akin to a death sentence, as it represents severe acute malnutrition. Without timely intervention, such children are at high risk of mortality, leading to an increase in under-five mortality rates.
“If these children are of school age, they will be underweight, which compromises various aspects of their health. Reduced immunity is one consequence, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases.
“With weakened immunity, they are more likely to contract illnesses, leading to increased medical expenses. In an economic crisis, when people cannot afford medication, the situation can deteriorate further. Without proper care, this can escalate to more severe health issues or even death.”
According to Oloyede, the rising costs of healthy food can lead to micronutrient deficiencies, or “hidden hunger,” which can slow metabolism and impede the body’s ability to heal.
Conversely, he also warned that overnutrition can occur when individuals consume high-calorie, nutrient-poor diets, resulting in unused energy being stored as fat, leading to overweight and obesity.
This paradoxical situation can arise even during food crises, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition.
He elaborated, “Obesity is linked to various communicable diseases, including cardiovascular issues and diabetes, which can also impact productivity. Additionally, there is a risk of severe anaemia due to poor nutritional intake.
“They become easily fatigued. For school-aged children, this translates into poor concentration and reduced performance. If a pregnant woman’s diet is deficient, her baby may suffer from mental disabilities, some of which could be irreversible while others might be reversible.
“Deficiencies during the crucial early weeks of pregnancy can lead to lower IQ in children, potentially causing stunted growth that persists into later life.
“Stunting can be likened to a ‘life sentence,’ whereas wasting is akin to a ‘death sentence.’ In both cases, the child’s potential is severely compromised due to inadequate nutrition.”
Supporting this view, Professor Mary Mgbekem, a nutritionist at the University of Calabar, stressed that both adults and children who lack access to a healthy diet are at risk of malnutrition.
She noted that malnutrition can take various forms, not always visible or extreme, such as protruding bones, and can manifest in subtle ways, making it essential to recognize and address the issue promptly.
She emphasized , “When certain nutrients are missing from the diet, deficiencies develop in the body. In nutritional assessment, there are four major methods to evaluate malnutrition. The first is anthropometric measurement, which involves checking measurements such as height and weight.
“If I’m supposed to weigh 60 kg but due to an inability to afford food, my weight drops to 45 kg, am I healthy? Even if my height remains the same and I continue going about my daily activities, the significant weight loss indicates a problem. Similarly, some people may appear obese due to poor nutrition.
“When a person consistently eats only one type of food, you cannot expect them to be healthy. For instance, when someone’s waist is disproportionately larger than the rest of their body, it’s a sign of obesity.
“The second method of nutritional assessment is biochemical measurement. This involves analysing blood, urine, saliva, and stool to determine if there are deficiencies in essential nutrients. Chronic deficiencies can place significant stress on the body.”
