By Atinuke Alao
The Kwara State Chapter of the Institute for Dietetics, on Wednesday, commemorated the World Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists Day with distribution of food items to orphanage home.
This is just as the institute warned that consumption of junk food predisposes people to communicable diseases.
The Chairman of the state chapter of Institute for Dietetics, Mr Bashir Onifade, said this in an interview with Journalists on the sidelines of the commemorating the global day.
He said, “Dieticians and Nutritionist educate people on how to make healthy choices through better nutrition. Diet is important for good health. When you consume wrong food like junk food, then you are prone to communicable diseases.”
Onifade explained that nutrients play a crucial role in strengthening the immune system, which helps the body prevent, fight, and recover from communicable diseases.
He stated that the day themed “Discover the Power of Nutrition”, emphasized the importance and essential of nutrients for restoring immune function, and reducing disease severity.
According to him, nutritious food has the ability to reverse deficiencies that make individuals more susceptible to infections.
Onifade who is also the Head of Department (HOD), Nutrition and Dietetics of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), pointed out that the day is set aside to appreciate the roles of registered Dietitians and Nutritionist globally in preventing diseases and promoting optimal health.
According to him, balanced diet provides numerous benefits, including boosting energy levels and supports overall health, strengthens immune system and reduces risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Similarly, the expert on nutrition disclosed that the number of malnourished children in Kwara has reduced due to the efforts of the State government in administering micronutrients powder as complementary meal to the children.
He enjoined Nigerians to seek help from professionals who will guide them on how to take the right food for good health.
In his remarks, the State Nutrition Officer in Kwara, Dr Bankole Olugbenga, emphasised on the importance of nutrients to the body.
He explained that food is not just fuel for the body, but that good nutrients prevent diseases and non-communicable disease.
Olugbenga called for more synergy and cooperation of members of the association in order to achieve a common goal.
The programme featured a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and donation of foods and commodities to the Waafah Children’s Home.
