The Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), has held an enlightenment workshop for rural women in Bende Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State.
Speaking at the event entitled: “Fight against hidden hunger”, the head, Science and Technical Committee (STC) of NIFST, Dr. Bola Osinowo described hidden hunger as a form of malnutrition caused by lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet needed for growth and development.
Prof Nneoma Elechi Obasi, teaching the rural women of Bende, Abia stae during a one day workshop recently.
Osinowo, who was represented by the Dean, College of Applied Food Sciences and Tourism, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Nneoma Elechi Obasi, urged women to take nutritional care of themselves and their families by incorporating foods rich in micronutrients such as fruits, vegetables and certain legumes into the family menu.
This, the food expert, noted will boost their immune systems, help in the intellectual and physical development of children and subsequently save them huge cost of taking drugs in search of good health. She also enjoined them to avoid eating junk foods and those with added sugars regularly.
In her words: “Women should ensure they consume healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables as a means of tackling micro nutrients deficiencies prevailant in the society, especially amongst young children and women of reproductive age”.
Osinowo who further decried the constant attribution of micro nutrient deficiency symptoms to ailments such as malaria and also to spiritual sources urged everyone to quench the hidden hunger by constant use of foods rich in micronutrients such as fruits, vegetables among others.
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Also explained by the varsity don were the health benefits of some micro nutrients, their food sources and deficiency symptoms through the use of colourful flex banners.
In her vote of thanks, one of the workshop beneficiaries, Mrs. Ezinne Kalu thanked NIFST for helping them to understand the concept of hidden hunger and how to fight it through the use of foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as fruits and vegetables, describing the workshop as apt and helpful in this critical time.
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