How food preparation and food choice influence the nutritional growth of children: a rising matter for the nutritionists and dietitians in Nigeria

Abstract

This current work describes how the nutritionists and dietitians in Nigeria to tackle the nutritional deficiencies among the under-5 children in Nigeria due to poor food preparation by the parents and caregivers as well as how the food is chosen for these children. Studies have shown that the resultant effects of poor food preparation and the skewness of food choices on particularly the more vulnerable group of under-5s are malnutrition. According to the State of the World’s Children, published by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, the prevalence of child malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, is particularly high. Thus, it is high time for the nutritionists and dietitians in Nigeria to step up their advocacy, community sensitization, and awareness campaigns on appropriate diet and approach to food issues, especially on how food is prepared by most Nigerian parents and caregivers, and also work on their decision-making process governing the food choices they make for their children.