A Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Dr. Olufemi Olaniyi, has warned about the dangers of ‘hidden hunger’ – micronutrient deficiencies – and their negative consequences on children’s optimal growth and development.
Olaniyi, a Consultant at the Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, gave the warning during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin on Monday.
He explained that hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition that does not present with obvious symptoms in children.
“Hidden hunger is caused by lack of adequate qualities of micronutrients like iron, zinc and iodine in a child’s food.
“A lack of major calories like protein and carbohydrates is visible in a child, but micronutrient deficiencies can be ‘hidden,’ even when a child eats large quantities of food,” he said.
The paediatrician noted that micronutrients are essential for proper physical and cognitive development. “If a child is not getting enough iron, their blood might become short and their blood cells might be smaller than they ought to be.
“Such children may have poor cognitive functions. They are not sharp, their brains are not developing optimally. Iodine deficiency can lead to goiter, while zinc deficiency also has detrimental effects,” Olaniyi explains.
According to the paediatrician, the remedy for hidden hunger in children is to give them a balanced diet.
“It is not enough to be giving a child carbohydrates all the time,” he warned, adding that “consideration should be given to sources of micronutrients.”
Olaniyi stressed that: ”Fruits, green vegetables, protein and liver are good sources of micro nutrients. Often times, we advocate that a child’s food should be coloured – green, yellow, red, orange.
“Children should be given different sources of food to have a balanced diet that will supply both the major calories and micronutrients for optimal growth.
He advised that “for children diagnosed with specific micronutrient deficiencies, targeted supplementation may be necessary,
“For children who have been evaluated to have micronutrients deficiency, if iron deficiency, iron supplementation is encouraged.
“if it is Iodine deficiency, iodised salt is recommended while zinc supplementation should be given for zinc deficiency.
The pediatrician added that it was critically important to address hidden hunger in children, as it could have long-lasting impacts on their physical and cognitive development. (NAN)
