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Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Malnutrition in Our Community
Our Healthcare Team Approaches Nutrition in a New Way
Author: Praises Padambo
Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Malnutrition in Our Community
Imagine a health crisis lurking in the shadows, affecting hundreds of thousands in your community. It’s not a virus, a bacteria or a disease, but something just as debilitating: malnutrition. Today we look at a new approach to nutrition studies in Kasese taken on by our Healthcare team.
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions:
- undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age);
- micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess; and
- overweight, obesity which predispose one to non communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer
Malnutrition remains a silent threat in rural Malawi
Malnutrition remains a silent threat in rural Malawi, owing to high poverty levels which result in poor diets among other factors. Due to poverty, most households can not afford balanced diets, putting their health at risk. As such, the issue of malnutrition affects many individuals of all ages and backgrounds in rural Malawi, leaving devastating consequences including weak immune systems and even increased mortality rates. In a literal sense, the phrase “you are what you eat” means that nutrients from the foods we eat provide the foundation of the structure, function, and wholeness of every cell in our body, from the skin and hair to the muscles, bones, brain, digestive and immune systems.
Children affected by malnutrition (undernutrition) are at risk of experiencing long-term consequences such as cognitive delays, particularly in areas such as language, memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. These deficiencies can affect their ability to learn and comprehend information effectively hence early school dropouts. As such, such children do not contribute positively to the national development when they become adults.
This is what has spurred our Healthcare team to embark on a journey of addressing the issue of malnutrition in our catchment area. The team is equipped to shed light on this silent epidemic and provide a lifeline to those in need.
Why is this initiative important?
Our team believes that the earlier we detect malnutrition, the sooner we can intervene in changing and saving lives, reducing healthcare burdens, long-term effects and improving the overall well-being of individuals.
The assessment will also help our Healthcare program in creating tailored care plans, addressing specific nutritional needs and health goals in our catchment area. This personalized approach will help ensure that our community receives necessary support thus, enhancing the effectiveness of our healthcare program.
This will also help us in our journey of treating noncommunicable diseases that we embarked on some months ago. By earlier assessing the nutritional status of individuals we will better manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. This will then result in reduced morbidity, mortality, and improved quality of life.
Join the Movement
Join the movement! If you are from around Kasese and you or someone you love may be struggling with malnutrition, reach out to our team for a free assessment. Let’s unite to create a healthier, more vibrant community where everyone can thrive.
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