Nutritionists have called for optimal nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life if the nation must curb the incidence of malnutrition among the children.

Speaking at the 39th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology in Owerri, Imo State, which was held in collaboration with Coca-Cola Nigeria, experts said there was the need for optimal nutrition, starting from the time of pregnancy up until a baby is two years old.

In his presentation, Professor of Nutrition and Director of Academic Planning at the Ambrose Alli University, Ignatius Onimawo, said most non communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer originated from the first 1,000 days of life.

Themed, “Food industrialisation; A pathway to agribusiness transformation,” participants examined the role of nutrition in the first 1,000 days and its effects on the development of non-communicable diseases.

Onimawo said, “The NCDs experienced later in life are developed from the foetus stage. It is important to know that, as opposed to the notion that these non-infectious diseases are contracted from lifestyle choices or unhealthy eating habits, they actually set in at an early stage within the first 1,000-day window period. After this period, we have little or no control over what happens.”

Bukola Adebayo

Culled from Punch http://punchng.com/nifst-others-to-address-malnutrition-in-children/