Nutrition
The context Malnutrition is a major underlying cause of death in 64 per cent of children under the age of five in South Africa. One in five children is stunted and many are deficient in the vitamins and minerals vital to good health and optimal development. South Africa is making efforts to fight malnutrition. Key vitamins and minerals have been added to wheat flour, maize flour and retail sugar in accordance with mandatory regulations that came into effect in October2003. Salt for human consumption is also iodised. Birth defects have dropped by more than a third as a result of folic acid fortification. The role of Vitamin A in preventing and managing childhood illnesses such as measles and pneumonia is critical, but this important intervention only reaches 25 per cent of children older than 12 months. More needs to be done in this important area of child survival. One of South Africa’s greatest challenges is to encourage women to breastfeed exclusively for six months from birth. A mere 25 per cent of infants less than six months old are exclusively breastfed, according to the HSRC, 2010 report. Of greater concern is that 53 per cent of children under six months were mixed-fed. Many mothers and caregivers introduce babies to food of poor nutritional value and questionable safety. These poor infant feeding practices contribute greatly to the high levels of malnutrition, diarrhoea and poor growth and can increase the risk of HIV transmission. HIV/AIDS-related illnesses are the second leading cause of death in young children. What UNICEF is doing Combating child malnutrition means taking action on several fronts. UNICEF is supporting the Department of Health to improve infant and young child feeding practices; to manage cases of malnutrition better in communities and health facilities; and to facilitate linkages with nutritional rehabilitation programmes and other key child health services. Priority is given to five of South Africa’s 18 poorest districts where child and maternal death rates are highest.
What has been achieved? In September 2009, the first Child Health Week was launched in South Africa. Child Health Week is a twice-a-year mass campaign aimed at improving child survival. With the support of partners such as UNICEF, the event supplements the health sector’s work with a free package of high-impact nutrition and health interventions, including Vitamin A supplementation, growth assessment and de-worming for children under the age of five. Exclusive breastfeeding, as the best way to nourish babies, is gaining momentum in South Africa. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative declared more than 40 per cent of the country’s 545 maternity facilities as ‘baby friendly’ in 2009. This global programme, which is certified by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, encourages and recognises hospitals and birthing centres that support women to breastfeed their babies. UNICEF also participated actively in developing a national policy and guidelines on infant and young child feeding, which will set standards for community-based child nutrition programmes. National regulations on the marketing of infant foods are being finalised to protect mothers from unscrupulous advertising of baby formula. One hundred and fifty nurses and doctors have been trained to manage malnutrition. Read more
South Africa joins the rest of the world in celebrating breast feeding week every year from the 1st - 7th August. The aim of the week is to promote the many benefits of breastfeeding; to warn of the risks of formula feeding; to motivate the healthcare system to encourage women to breastfeed; and to promote support for mothers within their communities. [PDF] [Word] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
An overview of the Food Fortification Programme from 2004, including issues and challenges faced, social marketing, management and monitoring and evaluation. This intervention included fortification of maize meal and wheat flour with 6 vitamins and 2 minerals. The report also highlights the key results and lessons learned. Published in partnership with the Department of Health and GAIN. [PDF] (PDF documents require Acrobat Reader to view.)
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Did you know? Vitamin A is vital for good health and development in young children, yet too few children receive Vitamin A supplementation in South Africa. South Africa is close to eliminating iodine deficiency disorders
Iodine deficiency disorder occurs when there is a lack of the mineral iodine in the human body. A lack of iodine hampers the development of the brain in children and leads to goitre in adults. Severe iodine deficiency disorders may include mental retardation, cretinism, abortion and hypothyroidism.
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