A Nutrition Officer with the Kassena-Nankana Municipality Health Directorate, Emmanuel Laar, has advised mothers to prioritise proper nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding during the first thousand days of a child’s life, describing the period as critical for a child’s growth, brain development, and long-term health.
According to him, the first thousand days, from conception to a child’s second birthday, provide a unique opportunity to lay a strong foundation for lifelong health and well-being.
“Feeding is crucial during the first thousand days of a child’s life because this period is the most important for physical growth, brain development, and long-term health.”
“Whatever you desire for your child must begin with how well you eat before conception and throughout pregnancy,” he said.
Laar made these remarks while speaking on Voices of Change on Mike FM on Saturday, May 30.
He noted that malnutrition remains a common challenge in many communities and clarified that the condition extends beyond underweight and wasted children.
“Malnutrition simply means poor nutrition. Most of the time, when people hear the term, they think only about wasted or underweight children. However, malnutrition includes both undernutrition and overnutrition,” he explained.
He stated that undernutrition occurs when a person does not receive sufficient energy, protein, or essential nutrients for healthy growth and body function, while overnutrition results from consuming more energy or nutrients than the body requires, often leading to excess body fat and related health complications.
Laar further explained that undernutrition can lead to stunted growth, wasting, underweight conditions, delayed physical development, and increased vulnerability to diseases due to a weakened immune system.
Also speaking on the programme, Barikisu Osman who is also a Nutritionist emphasised the importance of proper feeding practices during pregnancy and early childhood.
“What a mother eats directly affects the child during pregnancy and after birth. A healthy pregnancy produces a healthy baby, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life is essential,” she said.
Osman stressed that complementary feeding introduced after six months should be done deliberately and include a variety of nutritious foods to ensure children receive all the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.
She noted that many children are diagnosed with deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamins, protein, calcium, and iron, largely due to poor dietary practices.
She also urged caregivers to maintain good hygiene practices, particularly when preparing and serving food to children.
Osman cautioned against the use of appetite stimulants for children, warning that such products could pose health risks.
Instead, she recommended natural alternatives such as baobab and oranges, which can help improve appetite while providing valuable nutrients.
The speakers acknowledged that socio-economic challenges make it difficult for many families to afford balanced diets. However, they encouraged households to be intentional about making healthy food choices with the resources available to them.
They further called on parents and caregivers to prioritise proper nutrition as a key investment in the health and future development of their children.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Cynthia Afaah
