The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
25
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei
TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
25-30
10.37547/tajssei/Volume07Issue02-04
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
07 December 2024
ACCEPTED
09 January 2025
PUBLISHED
11 February 2025
VOLUME
Vol.07 Issue02 2025
CITATION
Abubakar Danjuma Bundaram. (2025). Food and nutrition security for
women and children are important for nation’s health and
development. The American Journal of Social Science and Education
Innovations, 7(02), 25
–
30.
https://doi.org/10.37547/tajssei/Volume07Issue02-04
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the
terms of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
Food and nutrition
security for women and
children are important
for nation's health and
development
Abubakar Danjuma Bundaram
PhD student of city university Cambodia, Department of public
health, Cambodia
ABSTRACT:
This article examines the crucial role of
balanced nutrition in maintaining most favourable
health and wellbeing. A comprehensive analysis of
existing written works highlight the significance of
essential nutrients, including macronutrients,
micronutrients, and fiber, in preventing chronic
diseases, enhancing cognitive function, and
promoting healthy weight management. The
analysis underscore the importance of adopting a
well-balanced diet, tailored to individual needs, to
mitigate the risk of nutrition-related disorders and
optimize quality of life.
KEYWORDS:
Food, nutrition, security for women,
health, development.
INTRODUCTION:
Nutrition plays a vital role in
maintaining most favourable health and wellbeing,
influencing physical growth, cognitive function, and
chronic disease risk. A balanced diet provides
essential nutrients, including macronutrients
(carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), micronutrients
(vitamins and minerals), and fiber. The global
burden of malnutrition, including undernutrition
and overnutrition, poses significant health and
economic consequences. This review aims to
summarize the current understanding of nutrition's
impact on overall health, highlighting key nutrients,
dietary patterns, and prevention strategies for
nutrition-related disorders.
Nutrition security implies "physical, economic and
social access to an age-appropriate balanced diet,
safe drinking water, environmental hygiene, and
primary health care for all and awareness to utilise
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
26
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
these". Thus, nutrition security goes beyond food
security. Nigeria being a country in developmental
transition is facing the double burden of pre-
transition
disease
(undernutrition
and
communicable diseases) as well as post-transition
diseases like overweight, obesity, diabetes,
hypertension, CVD, cancer. Besides having the
highest incidence of undernutrition (especially
among children) in the world, Nigeria is regarded to
be another diabetes centerl of the world. Maternal
undernutrition
contributes
to
both.
An
undernourished woman gives birth to a
malnourished low birth weight (LBW) child, who is
doomed to impaired physical and mental
development. The window of opportunity for
rehabilitation is the first year after birth. Such
individuals are born with more div fat and less
muscle and according to Barker's hypothesis are
prone to obesity and associated non-communicable
diseases in later life, especially if there is indulgent
life style. Undernutrition -infection is a vicious cycle
approach. Undernutrition predisposes to greater
morbidity and mortality. Economic cost of
undernutrition is direct due to increased burden on
health care and indirect - loss of productivity,
besides human suffering. The issue has to be
addressed through human development (health,
nutrition, education, gender equity e.t.c) besides
economic development. Inter-country and within-
country (between states) comparisons show that
for growth to be inclusive, population at large
should be healthy, educated and processing right
skills. For health and nutrition security there has to
be awareness and access at affordable cost to
balanced diet and right infant and child feeding
practices (WHO guidelines), safe drinking water and
environment and health care outreach. There has to
be nutrition literacy at all levels- planners,
administrators, agriculture and health professionals
besides the community at large. Nigerian diets are
qualitatively deficient in micronutrients (MN)-
vitamins and minerals due to low intake of MN rich
foods such as vegetables and fruits (particularly
green leafy vegetables), pulses, and animal
products. There is dietary erosion of nutritious
millets due to wrong policies. To address the issue
of micronutrient deficiencies and poor quality of
proteins in Nigeria diets, agriculture should be made
nutritionally and environmentally promotive
through diversification to horticulture, and dry land
crops like legumes and millets, and promotion of
backyard poultry, dairy, fishery e.t.c . Technologies
such as food fortification (chemical) and
biofortification (enrichment of germ plasm) have to
be judiciously applied. Personal hygiene, sanitation
(use of latrines) and safe drinking water and access
to primary health care need high priority. are,
important, for, nation's, health, and, development,
. Nutritiondiet, safe drinking water, ery health care
for all and awareness to utilise these". Thus,
nutrition security goes beyond food security.
Nigeria being a country in developmental transition
is facing the double burden of pre-transition disease
(undernutrition and communicable diseases) as well
as post-transition diseases like overweight, obesity,
diabetes, hypertension, CVD, cancer. Besides
having the highest incidence of undernutrition
(especially among children) in the world, Nigeria is
regarded to be another diabetes centerl of the
world. Maternal undernutrition contributes to both.
An undernourished woman gives birth to a
malnourished low birth weight (LBW) child, who is
doomed to impaired physical and mental
development. The window of opportunity for
rehabilitation is the first year after birth. Such
individuals are born with more div fat and less
muscle and according to Barker's hypothesis are
prone to obesity and associated non-communicable
diseases in later life, especially if there is indulgent
life style. Undernutrition -infection is a vicious cycle
approach. Undernutrition predisposes to greater
morbidity and mortality. Economic cost of
undernutrition is direct due to increased burden on
health care and indirect - loss of productivity,
besides human suffering. The issue has to be
addressed through human development (health,
nutrition, education, gender equity e.t.c) besides
economic development. Inter-country and within-
country (between states) comparisons show that
for growth to be inclusive, population at large
should be healthy, educated and processing right
skills. For health and nutrition security there has to
be awareness and access at affordable cost to
balanced diet and right infant and child feeding
practices (WHO guidelines), safe drinking water and
environment and health care outreach. There has to
be nutrition literacy at all levels- planners,
administrators, agriculture and health professionals
besides the community at large. Nigerian diets are
qualitatively deficient in micronutrients (MN)-
vitamins and minerals due to low intake of MN rich
foods such as vegetables and fruits (particularly
green leafy vegetables), pulses, and animal
products. There is dietary erosion of nutritious
millets due to wrong policies. To address the issue
of micronutrient deficiencies and poor quality of
proteins in Nigeria diets, agriculture should be made
nutritionally and environmentally promotive
through diversification to horticulture, and dry land
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
27
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
crops like legumes and millets, and promotion of
backyard poultry, dairy, fishery e.t.c . Technologies
such as food fortification (chemical) and
biofortification (enrichment of germ plasm) have to
be judiciously applied. Personal hygiene, sanitation
(use of latrines) and safe drinking water and access
to primary health care need high priority.
Food and nutrition security for women and children
are important for nation's health and development.
Nutrition security implies "physical, economic and
social access to an age-appropriate balanced diet,
safe drinking water, environmental hygiene, and
primary health care for all and awareness to utilise
these". Thus, nutrition security goes beyond food
security. Nigeria being a country in developmental
transition is facing the double burden of pre-
transition
disease
(undernutrition
and
communicable diseases) as well as post-transition
diseases like overweight, obesity, diabetes,
hypertension, CVD, cancer. Besides having the
highest incidence of undernutrition (especially
among children) in the world, Nigeria is regarded to
be another diabetes centerl of the world. Maternal
undernutrition
contributes
to
both.
An
undernourished woman gives birth to a
malnourished low birth weight (LBW) child, who is
doomed to impaired physical and mental
development. The window of opportunity for
rehabilitation is the first year after birth. Such
individuals are born with more div fat and less
muscle and according to Barker's hypothesis are
prone to obesity and associated non-communicable
diseases in later life, especially if there is indulgent
life style. Undernutrition -infection is a vicious cycle
approach. Undernutrition predisposes to greater
morbidity and mortality. Economic cost of
undernutrition is direct due to increased burden on
health care and indirect - loss of productivity,
besides human suffering. The issue has to be
addressed through human development (health,
nutrition, education, gender equity e.t.c) besides
economic development. Inter-country and within-
country (between states) comparisons show that
for growth to be inclusive, population at large
should be healthy, educated and processing right
skills. For health and nutrition security there has to
be awareness and access at affordable cost to
balanced diet and right infant and child feeding
practices (WHO guidelines), safe drinking water and
environment and health care outreach. There has to
be nutrition literacy at all levels- planners,
administrators, agriculture and health professionals
besides the community at large. Nigerian diets are
qualitatively deficient in micronutrients (MN)-
vitamins and minerals due to low intake of MN rich
foods such as vegetables and fruits (particularly
green leafy vegetables), pulses, and animal
products. There is dietary erosion of nutritious
millets due to wrong policies. To address the issue
of micronutrient deficiencies and poor quality of
proteins in Nigeria diets, agriculture should be made
nutritionally and environmentally promotive
through diversification to horticulture, and dry land
crops like legumes and millets, and promotion of
backyard poultry, dairy, fishery e.t.c . Technologies
such as food fortification (chemical) and
biofortification (enrichment of germ plasm) have to
be judiciously applied. Personal hygiene, sanitation
(use of latrines) and safe drinking water and access
to primary health care need high priority.
Food and nutrition security for women and children
are important for nation's health and development.
Nutrition security implies "physical, economic and
social access to an age-appropriate balanced diet,
safe drinking water, environmental hygiene, and
primary health care for all and awareness to utilise
these". Thus, nutrition security goes beyond food
security. Nigeria being a country in developmental
transition is facing the double burden of pre-
transition
disease
(undernutrition
and
communicable diseases) as well as post-transition
diseases like overweight, obesity, diabetes,
hypertension, CVD, cancer. Besides having the
highest incidence of undernutrition (especially
among children) in the world, Nigeria is regarded to
be another diabetes centerl of the world. Maternal
undernutrition
contributes
to
both.
An
undernourished woman gives birth to a
malnourished low birth weight (LBW) child, who is
doomed to impaired physical and mental
development. The window of opportunity for
rehabilitation is the first year after birth. Such
individuals are born with more div fat and less
muscle and according to Barker's hypothesis are
prone to obesity and associated non-communicable
diseases in later life, especially if there is indulgent
life style. Undernutrition -infection is a vicious cycle
approach. Undernutrition predisposes to greater
morbidity and mortality. Economic cost of
undernutrition is direct due to increased burden on
health care and indirect - loss of productivity,
besides human suffering. The issue has to be
addressed through human development (health,
nutrition, education, gender equity e.t.c) besides
economic development. Inter-country and within-
country (between states) comparisons show that
for growth to be inclusive, population at large
should be healthy, educated and processing right
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
28
https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajssei
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
skills. For health and nutrition security there has to
be awareness and access at affordable cost to
balanced diet and right infant and child feeding
practices (WHO guidelines), safe drinking water and
environment and health care outreach. There has to
be nutrition literacy at all levels- planners,
administrators, agriculture and health professionals
besides the community at large. Nigerian diets are
qualitatively deficient in micronutrients (MN)-
vitamins and minerals due to low intake of MN rich
foods such as vegetables and fruits (particularly
green leafy vegetables), pulses, and animal
products. There is dietary erosion of nutritious
millets due to wrong policies. To address the issue
of micronutrient deficiencies and poor quality of
proteins in Nigeria diets, agriculture should be made
nutritionally and environmentally promotive
through diversification to horticulture, and dry land
crops like legumes and millets, and promotion of
backyard poultry, dairy, fishery e.t.c . Technologies
such as food fortification (chemical) and
biofortification (enrichment of germ plasm) have to
be judiciously applied. Personal hygiene, sanitation
(use of latrines) and safe drinking water and access
to primary health care need high priority.
Analysis
:
On Maternal Nutrition
1. Folic Acid Supplementation*: Studies have
consistently shown that folic acid supplementation
during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube
defects.
2. Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency is prevalent
among pregnant women, and supplementation has
been shown to improve maternal and infant health
outcomes.
3. Calcium Intake: Adequate calcium intake during
pregnancy is essential for fetal bone development
and maternal bone health.
Child's Nutrition
1. Breastfeeding: Exclusive breastfeeding for the
first six months of life provides optimal nutrition
and health benefits for infants.
2. Complementary Feeding: Timely introduction of
complementary foods at six months of age supports
continued growth and development.
3. Micronutrient Deficiencies: Micronutrient
deficiencies, such as vitamin A and iron deficiencies,
are prevalent among children in developing
countries and can have long-term consequences for
health and development.
Women's Nutrition
1. Menstrual Health: Nutrition plays a crucial role
in menstrual health, with deficiencies in iron and
other micronutrients contributing to menstrual
disorders.
2. Pregnancy and Lactation: Adequate nutrition
during pregnancy and lactation is essential for
maternal and infant health, with deficiencies in key
nutrients increasing the risk of adverse outcomes
(15, 16).
3. Aging and Nutrition: Nutrition plays a critical
role in healthy aging, with adequate intake of key
nutrients supporting physical function and reducing
the risk of chronic disease
Child Development
1. Cognitive Development: Nutrition plays a
critical role in cognitive development, with
deficiencies in key nutrients contributing to
impaired cognitive function (19, 20).
2. Physical Growth: Adequate nutrition is essential
for physical growth and development, with
deficiencies in key nutrients contributing to growth
faltering and other adverse outcomes.
3. Emotional Developments: Nutrition also plays a
role in emotional development, with deficiencies in
key nutrients contributing to impaired emotional
regulation and other adverse outcomes.
Sub analysis:
Maternal Nutrition and Pregnancy Outcomes
1. Folic Acid and Neural Tube Defects: Folic acid
supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk
of neural tube defects.
2. Iron and Anemia: Iron supplementation during
pregnancy reduces the risk of anemia and improves
maternal and infant health outcomes.
3. Calcium and Preeclampsia: Adequate calcium
intake during pregnancy reduces the risk of
preeclampsia and other adverse outcomes.
Child Nutrition and Development
1. Breastfeeding and Cognitive Development:
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of
life supports cognitive development and reduces
the risk of cognitive impairment.
2. Complementary Feeding and Growth: Timely
introduction of complementary foods at six months
of
age
supports
continued
growth
and
development.
3. Micronutrient Deficiencies and Child
Development: Micronutrient deficiencies, such as
vitamin A and iron deficiencies, can have long-
The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
29
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The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
termconsequences for child development and
health.
Women's Nutrition and Health
1. Menstrual Health and Nutrition: Nutrition plays
a crucial role in menstrual health, with deficiencies
in iron and other micronutrients contributing to
menstrual disorders.
2. Pregnancy and Lactation Nutrition: Adequate
nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is essential
for maternal and infant health, with deficiencies in
key nutrients increasing the risk of adverse
outcomes.
3. Aging and Nutrition: Nutrition plays a
critical role in healthy aging, with adequate intake
of key nutrients supporting physical function and
reducing the risk of chronic disease.
CONCLUSION
Balanced nutrition is fundamental to maintaining
optimal health and wellbeing. By understanding the
significance of essential nutrients and adopting
tailored dietary patterns, individuals can mitigate
the risk of nutrition-related disorders. Healthcare
professionals, policymakers, and communities must
prioritize nutrition education, promoting accessible,
affordable, and sustainable healthy food options.
Future research should focus on personalized
nutrition, nutrition informatics, and addressing
health disparities.
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The American Journal of Social Science and Education Innovations
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