Title: Combating Zambia's "hidden hunger": NEPAD and partners fortify food with vitamins and minerals.

POPLINE Document Number: 314824

Author(s):

Madamombe I

Source citation:

Africa Renewal, 2007 Jan;20(4):14-15.

Abstract:

The majority of children in Zambia eat a meal at least once or twice daily. But despite a full stomach, many lack nutrients essential for their physical and mental development. The Zambian government is fighting this "hidden hunger" by fortifying maize meal, the staple food, with life-saving vitamins and minerals. "A child can eat three meals per day, but still have problems," says Mr. Ward Siamusantu, who manages the country's Maize Meal Fortification Programme. "A few doses short of vitamin A or iron, and you throw away a child's ability to do their best in life. Impaired children will grow up to be impaired adults, costing Africa billions of dollars in lost productivity." African leaders, through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), are at the forefront of continent-wide efforts to infuse micronutrients -- vitamins and minerals -- into maize meal, salt, flour, oil, sugar, soy and other foods. One of the goals of NEPAD, the framework guiding Africa's efforts to accelerate development, is to ensure that all citizens are healthy enough to contribute their full physical and mental potential. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Zambia
Progress Report
Evaluation
Children
Nongovernmental Organizations
Child Nutrition
Malnutrition
Food Supplementation
Nutrition Programs
Vitamins and Minerals
Africa, Southern
Africa South of the Sahara
Africa
Developing Countries
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Organizations
Political Factors
Sociocultural Factors
Nutrition
Health
Nutrition Disorders
Diseases
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Physiology
Biology