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Obesity: Regular exercise, healthy diet helps – Nutritionist

Obesity: Regular exercise, healthy diet helps – Nutritionist
By Maureen Ojinaka
Obesity
Enugu, June 11, 2019 (NAN) A Nutritionist, Mrs Henrietta Ugwu, has recommended regular physical exercise and maintenance of healthy diet to combat obesity among adults.
Ugwu, who is a Nutrition officer with the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.
She noted that to avoid being overweight or obese, there was need to imbibe healthy nutritional behaviours which included having to maintain a healthy diet pattern and engage in regular physical activity.
According to her, the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is not short-term dietary change, but a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and regular physical activity.
The nutritionist said that the kind of work a person engaged himself or herself in depended on the diet that individual eats.
She added that those who were into manual or hard jobs, like brick layers and barrow pushers, among others, needed more of energy giving food like carbohydrates than someone who sits and works in an office.
“Knowing your body mass, helps in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular physical activity are all actions you can take for yourself to combat excess weight gain,” she said.
She stressed that obesity was a major health problem as there was an increasing trend of overweight individuals in Nigeria.
Ugwu noted that being overweight or obese was known to contribute significantly to morbidity rates among many adults, who ignored the necessity of the consideration of their health diet pattern.
She urged adults to avoid frequent consumption of fast food with high sugar content so as to prevent over weight and other diseases.
She called on everyone to eat moderately, adding that eating more of grains, fruits, vegetables and regular exercise will help people live healthily as well as prevent obesity. (NAN)
OJI/ KOO/MST
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Planetary health diet prevents 11m premature deaths annually – Nutritionist

Planetary health diet prevents 11m premature deaths annually – Nutritionist
By Diana Omueza
Diet
Abuja, May 15, 2019 (NAN) Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), an NGO, has recommended a shift from unhealthy diets to planetary health diet to prevent 11 million adult premature deaths in Nigeria yearly.
It also said that planetary health diet would drive a transition towards a sustainable global food system by 2050.
This is according to a 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission Report on “Planetary health diet for over 400 million people by 2050: What the EAT-Lancet commission report means for Nigeria”, co-launched by GAIN.
Mr Michael Ojo, the Country Director of GAIN in a statement on Thursday, said the study was conducted by 37 experts from 16 countries in various fields of human health, agriculture and environmental sustainability.
According to him, the study is carried out to develop global scientific targets for healthy diets from sustainable food production.
“The study also reveals that globally, over 820 million people continue to go hungry every day and 150 million children suffer from long-term hunger that impairs their growth and development.
“Fifty million children are acutely hungry due to insufficient access to food and in parallel, the world is also experiencing a rise in over weight and obesity.
“The study further showed that today, over 2 billion adults are over-weight and obese and that diet-related non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cancer and heart disease are among the leading causes of global deaths,” he said.
He however proffered consumption of a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes alongside small portions of meat and dairy products amounting to 2500 kcal per day for a healthier food lifestyle and balance.
“Planetary diets will require access to certain food groups, because the planetary health diets require a significant reduction in the overconsumption of unhealthy foods.
“It will also mean provision of various food groups that can be adapted to locally by geography, culinary traditions and personal preferences.
“So farmers, public vendors and food service professionals should gather information and focus on producing high volumes of crops and food that are varied and nutrient-rich,” he said.
He said that there was something for everyone across price ranges, culture, age groups and individual preference with more than 30,000 known edible plants leaving humans with interesting options to taste and explore.
GAIN urged Nigerians to plan, cook and prepare meals at home, as food made at home are flexible, dynamic, tasty, healthier and sustainable compared to food bought outside the home.
“Cooking and preparing food at home provides great opportunity for shared family time and allows for healthy recipe to be passed along from generation to generation including tastes.
“Nigerians must know that although meat is an important source of key nutrients including protein, iron and vitamin B12, but excess meat consumption can harm our health and the planet.
“They should aim to consuming no more than 98 grams of red meat, pork, beef or lamb, 203 grams of poultry and 196 grams of fish per week and 125 grams of dry beans, peas, nuts or legumes per day,” he said.
GAIN urged the Nigerian government to formulate, focus on policies and strategies that would encourage Nigerians on healthy diets to curb hunger and malnutrition, and create a sustainable healthy food system.
“Nigeria needs to do things with its food production systems to make more nutritious food choices available in a sustainable way.
“The food systems will determine the quality of people’s diet at the household level, shaping the demand, availability, affordability and desirability of safe and nutritious food,” he added.
He advised that farmers should gather information and focus on producing high volumes of crops that are varied and nutrient-rich. (NAN)
DOM//AO/MST
Edited by Angela Okisor/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Arthritis: Medical practitioners recommend regular exercise, proper diet

Arthritis: Medical practitioners recommend regular exercise, proper diet
By Hauwa Amali/Khadija Adam
Arthritis
Abuja, Oct. 17, 2018 (NAN) Some medical practitioners have recommended the need for proper engagement in physical exercise and healthy food chains to avoid arthritis.
The physicians gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to upscale the World Arthritis Day celebrated globally on Oct. 12.
They described arthritis as an inflammatory condition of joints which affects elderly people from 65 years and above globally.
But they noted that some people do get the condition earlier that the age of 65, most of them in their teens.
Dr Olorunsogo Ayodeji said arthritis was a broad term that covers group of over 100 diseases that affects one out of every five adults.
Ayodeji, a medical practioner at the General Hospital Keffi, Nasarawa State, said that arthritis has to do with joints and places where your bones connect such as wrists, knees and hips in the human body.
He advised Nigerians to always exercise frequently, stick to a healthy food chain containing fatty acids, vitamin C and vegetables.
According to him, some form of arthritis can affect other connective tissues and organs, including the skin and could as well happen to anyone.
Ayodeji said: “There are certain diet foods which can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain that happens due to arthritis.
“Diet such as vegetables like broccolis, Brussels sprouts and cabbages can be used as remedies; they have Sulforaphane compound which helps to slow cartilage damages in the joints.
“They come with benefits, people with arthritis should eat more; also fishes like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are very rich in Omega-3 which helps to fight inflammation in the various joints.
“Turmeric spices contain curcumin that fights inflammation best; Garlic is also remedy as it comes from the alliums family like onions and leeks containing disulfide that fights diseases.”
On his part, Dr Lorwuese Charles, a medical practitioner at the Police Hospital, Ado, Ekiti State, said poor lifestyle condition contributes to arthritis.
He said that arthritis could be caused by excessive weight which start early in the knee, adding that age is also a factor that makes the joints to be worn out.
According to him, injuries cause joint damage that brings about infections; infect joints and trigger inflammation.
“The symptoms vary from person to person; they may include intermittent pain in the joint, physical deformity, bony outgrowth in fingers or toes.
“Others are stiffness, tenderness, swelling and fatigue, malaise and so on: it can come and go and also range from mild to severe cases that could lead to permanent joints damage.
“There is no cure for arthritis, but there are prescribed medication for treatment, which include painkillers on steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
“Others are natural remedies that can help to ease arthritis pain, such as exercises and change in diet,” Charles said.
NAN reports that this year’s theme is “It is in your hands, take action”.
The event was initiated by the World Arthritis Foundation to raise awareness and encourage policy makers to reduce burden of arthritis in the society. (NAN)
AUH/KSA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Malnutrition: Experts recommend breastfeeding, diet

Malnutrition: Experts recommend breastfeeding, diet
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Malnutrition
Lagos, Aug. 29, 2018 (NAN) Experts in Nutrition and Dietetics on Wednesday said inappropriate breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices were main causes of malnutrition in the first two years of a child.
The experts made the observation at the 6th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference organised by the Nigerian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NISPGHAN) in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is: “The Role of specialised Paediatric Gastroenterological care in improving child health’’.
They observed that the period of birth to two years of age of a child was recognised as a critical period during which adequate nutrition should be provided for the child to achieve optimum development and full growth.
Prof. Philip Abiodun, a Consultant in Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, regretted that mothers gave complementary feeds to their babies too early.
He said that the appropriate and perfect feed for infants in the first six months of life was breast milk.
“Breast milk is the perfect blend of nutritional and non-nutritional substance that ensures appropriate outcomes in growth, cognition, immune response and long term well-being.
“In Nigeria, malnutrition is widespread as 41 per cent of all children less than five years of age are stunted, 14 per cent wasted and 23 per cent are underweight.
“This is as a result of poor diet or lack of food. Also, when the intake of nutrients or energy is too high, too low or poorly balanced,’’ Abiodun said.
The nutritionist urged mothers to ensure they gave adequate amount of food to their children and at the right frequency.
He advised nursing mothers to eat well so as to be able to exclusively breastfeed their babies, saying unless they (mothers) are extremely sick to do so.
Abiodun, also President of NISPGHAN, urged mothers to eat well rather than considering drinking palm wine for more breast milk.
He said drinking of palm wine does not help in the production of milk, saying normal good and balanced diet does the magic.
Miss Patience Chima, a Dietician Nutritionist of the Dietetics Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), said malnutrition affected infants mostly due to lack of nutrients critical for normal growth and development.
According to her, globally malnutrition starts under age five.
“Children need to eat balanced meals and variety of foods to get the right nutrients; they should get enough protein and vitamins.
“The more malnourished a child is the more nutrients that are missing, the more likely she is to have a problem,’’ Chima said.
She urged mothers to effectively feed their children so as to avoid them being under nourished.
She said under nutrition whether in weight, size or in height would cause problem to the child.
She said the mental development of the child would also be affected, thereby, causing the brain not to have the energy to do what he supposed to do.
NAN reports that Nestle Company, nursing mothers, nurses and doctors from all over the country attended the conference.
A communiqué is expected at the end of the conference on Aug. 31. (NAN)
LED/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Increase fibre rich diet to avoid colon cancer – Expert

Increase fibre rich diet to avoid colon cancer, expert saysBy Olasunkanmi Onifade
Cancer
Abuja, July 19, 2018 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, an Abuja based Neurosurgeon, has advised Nigerians to increase their intake of fibre-rich diet to avoid colon cancer in future.
Ogungbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
“Cancer is on the increase in many countries including Nigeria. It is perhaps more pertinent in Nigeria because of the poor state of our healthcare and our low fibre diet.
“Some studies have shown that excessive consumption of red meat as well as decreased intake of fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of colon cancer.
“Needless to say, preventing cancer is critically important in Nigeria, it improves the chances of a permanent cure of this much-dreaded cancer,” Ogungbo said.
He said both men and women are also prone to developing bowel cancer, adding there should be routine screening from age 45.
Ogungbo said the age requirement for the screening was lower for patients with a personal or family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
“Old age comes with its own baggage of degenerative disease like arthritis and of course, the increased risk of cancer.
“For men, it is prostate cancer and for women, breast and cervical cancers.
“Whether you are male or female, you increase your chance of lung cancer if you smoke or are around people that smoking,” he warned.
Ogungbo said the signs and symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious, which makes colon cancer screening important.
He said some other symptoms may point to colon cancer such as weight loss, rectal bleeding associated with changes in bowel habits, bloating, nausea and vomiting that may indicate a blockage of the colon.
“A flexible sigmoidoscopy allows the doctors to check every inch of the left side of the bowel for early signs of cancer or things that can develop into cancer.
“This is vitally important to nip any problems in the bud. Studies have shown that polyps may develop into cancer if left in place,’’ he said.
He explained that a flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test performed by inserting a long camera, a bendable: flexible endoscope into the anus and into the bowels to see the walls of the bowel.
Ogungbo said it is used to look for anything such as growths and cancer.
“They also look at the middle part called the transverse colon and the right side of your colon.
“The doctor may also be able to look at the part of your small intestine that attaches to your colon. This part of the small intestine is called the terminal ileum.
“No sedation was necessary as this is a painless procedure. There is some degree of discomfort though as they need to pump some air into your bowel to be able to see things properly,” he said.
Ogungbo said the test is to be repeated every five years till the age of 75 years.
He however said with the high rates of colon cancer, if it’s found early enough, it is highly treatable, adding that Nigerians should not wait for the symptoms before consulting their doctor. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

Group recommends exercise, diet for healthy living

NAN-HG-5

Lifestyle

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Abuja, April 5, 2017 (NAN) Dr Biodun Ogungbo, Director, Stroke Action Group, on Wednesday recommended routine exercise and healthy diet for a healthy living, especially elders.

Ogungbo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that most diseases in our mothers and fathers may be prevented or at least slowed down as a result of a healthy lifestyle.

“ Osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressures, diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, depression and certain cancers are some of the common conditions that can affect the elderly.

“We have enough technology and enough sense of not to be sick again.

“In addition to diet and exercise, other important life style modifications can lead a healthier life in elderly,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said the worst thing was for someone to spend his or her live working to bring up and provide for the family, then at the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labour, die or fall sick with some illness.

He said there were some social factors that are likely to be responsible for many of the problems of the elderly in the community, including loneliness from losing a spouse or friends and inability to independently manage regular activities of living.

“They include social factors for the elderly, difficulty coping and accepting physical changes of aging, frustration with on-going medical problems and increasing number of medications.

“Others include social isolation as adult, children are engaged in their own lives, feeling inadequate from inability to continue to work, boredom from retirement and lack of routine activities, financial stresses from the loss of regular income,’’ Ogungbo said.

He said these social factors can have negative impact on the overall health of an older individual like cancer, arthritis, alzheimer’s disease, stroke and heart attacks, while sudden death are more common in the elderly above 50 years of age.

Ogungbo said some suffer from ill-health seemingly soon as they retire from active service from 50 to 60 years of age.

“In Nigeria, that means many who were employed in the civil service and without much in their savings or a credible pension when ill-health occurs, they rely on friends and family, especially the children to look after them.

“Yet, these children may not really be in a position to pay for expensive treatment for their loved ones. As they also have children, mortgages and rents, bills and lives to live,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said to prevent some of the health challenges of the elderly; balanced diet and participation in regular exercise are paramount in maintaining a healthy life for people of all ages.

However, he advised that the elderly should get rid of bad eating habits and eat more fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, plenty of water and exercise.

“The elderly should eat well, make their own supplements and stay off sugar. Sugar is a deadly metabolic poison. It reduces immunity and feeds cancer,’’ the expert warned.

He advised the elderly to beware of the side effects of drugs and drug interactions including over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and alternative medicine.

“To prevent ill health in your parents get them out of the house. Get them T-shirts, shorts and trainers and get them on the streets.

“Encourage them to go for walks and smell the outdoors; get your mother out and your father will follow. They should go out for walks and short exercises: breathing in deeply and relaxing the minds to clear out the stresses of life.

“Get your mother on the dance floor at home: dancing with you and the grand-children. This stimulates the mind, body and spirit encouraging blood floor to dormant parts of the body.

“Play games with your father especially card games, ‘Ayo’, chess and scrabble. Teach them Sudoku and so many other brain training games that are available as Apps online,’’ he said.

Ogungbo said with proper diet and exercising money would be saved in the future and probably live long enough to truly enjoy the fruits of their labour. (NAN)

OEO/HS/MST

Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola