Oluwaseun Ariyo, a researcher, presented the findings of a comprehensive survey during a one-day workshop titled “Ibadan Kids Nutrition and Health Survey” held at the institution.

The survey’s alarming results revealed that a significant number of children in the region are not consuming the recommended daily amounts of calcium and other essential minerals for their age group.

Ariyo emphasized that students who neglect their health and wellbeing are more likely to struggle with their studies and academic performance. The study, which focused on children’s dietary habits, was conducted across five local government areas in Ibadan, including North, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast.

The survey’s findings highlight the need for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to prioritize children’s nutrition and health to ensure their overall development and academic success.

He stated, “Seven per cent of the children suffer from overweight and obesity, more than 10 per cent suffer undernutrition, indicating that malnutrition is still a big problem in the state, meaning, there’s an urgent need for government and other stakeholders to put in necessary interventions to address it.”

Ariyo suggested that soya beans, peanuts and vegetables, which are sources of micronutrients should be included in children’s diet.

“These children are growing and we must know that we send them to school, many of us pay huge amounts as school fees, and if these children are not properly fed, they will not get the best out of school.

“So it means that all the investment we made in their schooling may not make the desired results, so we must pay attention to their meals.”

He urged the government to take action and regulate the types of food available to children in their school settings, ensuring that healthy and nutritious options are prioritized and made accessible to students.

Ariyo highlighted, “In many of the schools, they have access to sugary drinks and drinks that don’t contribute to their micronutrient intake. So, we must ensure we promote the development and consumption of healthy snacks in all our schools.

“We also identified that this problem of malnutrition is higher among older children than the younger pupils and these older children are the ones that are not presently benefitting from the school feeding programme.

“So it is important that we extend the school feeding programme to cover more children, from primary four to six.”

Professor Rasak Sanusi, the principal investigator of the study, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle malnutrition among school-age children.

In her address, she highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of malnutrition and developing effective strategies to ensure that children receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and development.

Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, the Provost of the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, reiterated the significance of nutrition in laying the foundation for physical and mental well-being.

She expressed concern that many children still attend school without breakfast, which can have detrimental effects on their cognitive function, energy levels, and overall health.

As a renowned expert in mental health, Professor Omigbodun stressed that a nation’s prosperity is closely tied to the mental state of its population.

She urged the government to prioritize the nutrition of school-age children, as adequate nutrition is essential for the development of brain cells and optimal cognitive function.