A Professor of Food Science and Technology, in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) Abia state, Prof. Nneoma Elechi Obasi has urged women to eat right to stay healthy at all times.
Prof. Obasi who disclosed this during a workshop organized for rural women in Umuajata Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA Abia State, in collaboration with Peri-Urban Agriculture Unit of National Roots Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, maintained that poor nutritional lifestyle is the major cause of ailments among the rural populace.
In her lecture entitled: “The Fight against hidden hunger”, the Dean, College of Applied Food Sciences and Tourism of MOUAU, regretted that micronutrients deficiencies like iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc among others in the body are the leading causes of death in the society.
Prof. Obasi also decried the menace of cancers in the society urging rural women to fight the hidden hunger with daily consumption of quality fruits and vegetables.
The food scientist further attributed most of the cancers affecting young people to the consumption of processed foods, insisting that the best way to a healthy living is by consuming micronutrients-rich foods.
In her words: “Micronutrient deficiencies can cause several serious health issues; A lack of iron, folate, vitamins B12 and A can lead to anaemia”.
She explained that anaemia is a condition in which there is a reduced number of red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration, causing fatigue, weakness, shortage of breath, dizziness and eventually death among others.
Fielding questions from some participants, she highlighted that
micronutrient deficiencies may also cause several serious diseases, like goiter, mental retardation, acute respiratory infections, decreased cognitive function, cancer, vision loss, rickets, pellagra, beriberi, and diarrhoea among others.
Prof. Obasi further implored women to also shun self-meditations, eat healthy foods and always visit health experts whenever they have health challenges.
The Director, Centre for Gender Youth and Child Development, MOUAU, Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, the NRCRI team, led by the Head, Peri-Urban Agriculture Unit, Dr. Helen Nkoli Anyaegbunam, Dr. Blessing Ada Ahamefule, Mrs. Ebele Grace Nwawuba and other women groups, were present at the event.
