Rosalee Brown
THE TERM 'child hunger' refers to much more than missing one or two meals occasionally, but to inadequate intake of nutrients. This results in sub-optimal nutrition, leading to impaired physical and mental development.
The 2004 Economic and Social Survey indicates a preliminary figure of 1.6 per cent in child malnutrition. This data, however, is made up mostly of infants and very young children who exhibit the symptoms of malnutrition. There is no national data for high-risk and older children who are hungry, and many times some of these same children have suffered other nutritional problems.
An indication of the state of hunger is the number of children who attend schools without breakfast. Many schools, through the help of parent-teacher associations, service clubs and other good corporate citizens, have introduced breakfast feeding programmes for these vulnerable children. Studies in Jamaica show that these programmes are effective in reducing underweight children and increasing school attendance. However, the issue of no breakfast is not entirely one of economics for all children; some children purchase their first meal at school and this consists of bag juice, cheese trix or candies!
It is well established that breakfast is vital. After many hours of fasting (while sleeping), a child needs the vital energy and nutrients provided by an early breakfast, to be alert, functional and healthy. Parents therefore need constant reminders of the importance of breakfast and of planning ahead to ensure that the family is properly fed in an age when everybody is busy and women work outside the home.
BREAKFAST OPTIONS
The options for breakfast are wide and there are many economical choices, including leftover dinners, the traditional porridge, sandwiches etcetera. If children commute long distances and find it difficult to eat early, then breakfast should be packed and consumed at school. The real problem, however, is that in some rural and urban communities some parents are poor, absent or otherwise unable to provide adequately for their children. These are the children who are hungry as they eat few meals daily and the meals are often nutritionally inadequate. Many of these children eventually become school dropouts and fail to realise their true potential as adults and often contribute to many of the social problems we now face as a nation.
According to the 2004 Economic and Social Survey, health centres need supplements, educational materials and food for needy groups. Non-governmental organisations such as service clubs, professional organisations and citizens' associations and all of us can make a difference in reducing child hunger.
Child hunger is a global issue and since 2003 the United Nations World Food Programme started an annual global walk to raise funds to address the problem. On Sunday, May 21, Jamaica will hold its inaugural walk in Montego Bay. Funds raised from the walk will be used to boost breakfast feeding programmes in needy primary schools and for food supplements for children with HIV/AIDS at the St. James Health Department. For further information, visit www.fighthunger.org .
Get involved, you can do it!!
Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritonist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
