SUBSCRIBE
Friday, May 16, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Child malnutrition: the devastating cycle of poverty

by Sidima Mfeku
24th March 2022
in Trending
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
On this episode of Sisters Without Shame, KFC CSI manager, Andra Nel unpacks child malnutrition in Mzansi.

On this episode of Sisters Without Shame, KFC CSI manager, Andra Nel unpacks child malnutrition in Mzansi.

On episode 34 of Sisters Without Shame, a Joburg mother wonders if Mzansi is also feeling the pinch as she struggles to put food on the table due to rising food prices. She does not want her children to become malnourished. Andra Nel, KFC’s CSI manager, joins this week’s episode to unpack child malnutrition in Mzansi.

According to Nel, malnutrition presents itself in different ways and its effects are equally different too. They can be physical, emotional and/or psychological.  

“Acute malnutrition in children is twofold. Physically, children tend to struggle to meet developmental milestones and don’t meet their cognitive developmental milestones as well.”

KFC CSI manager Andra Nel unpacks child malnutrition on episode 34 of Sisters Without Shame. Photo: Health For Mzansi

Worldwide, 149.2 million children under five years of age are stunted and 45.4 million are wasted. This means that these children will likely not reach their full growth and developmental potential because of the irreversible physical and cognitive damage caused by persistent nutritional deprivations.

In South Africa, acute malnutrition remains a critical issue, with 27% of children stunted.

The first five years are crucial to your child’s physical and emotional development.

“If children below five don’t get adequate nutrition, regardless of them getting nutrition later in life, the effects of the malnutrition in their early stages are irreversible.”

“There is also the emotional and psychological effect of the impact of malnutrition in kids. What we see in many organisations is that kids have reduced confidence, and their social skills are not so strong. They are struggling to make friends and relate to friend and showing leadership skills.”

What does malnutrition mean?

A picture that is widely known and comes to mind when talking about malnutrition in children, is a picture of an extremely thin child, with out-pronounced veins and a big tummy and head. But malnutrition is not only limited to this imagery.

“There are a couple of elements that are associated with malnutrition. The first one is food security, where children are worried about where their next meal is going to come from and that is a reality for about 3 million children in South Africa daily.”

“The next element is whether the children are getting multiple food staples with different nutrients. So, the concern here is whether they are getting energy from just eating the available food so that they can survive and learn, or are they getting energy coupled with various other nutrients in their system. This is where things like obesity in children come in.”

Some obese children are not obese because they are eating only one food. So, the tiny and unfed child is not the only malnourished one.

Why is access to food important?

Food, among many other things, is one of the best tools to combat many social and socio-economic challenges of the South African population.

“We have seen the cycle of poverty in multiple generations in South Africa and in Africa at large. We have seen that there is low income, low health, low education and low employment. I believe that we can end the cycle of poverty in our country if we give our kids access to quality education, if we create more employment opportunities among the old, and if we widen the spectrum of health and end the scourge of hunger,” says Nel.

Listen to the full interview on Sisters Without Shame 

Spotify: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).

Apple Podcasts: Click here to listen on any device.

Google Podcasts: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

Want to connect with Sisters Without Shame? 

To send an SOS to Sisters Without Shame, email hello@healthformzansi. Alternatively, send a WhatsApp to 076 132 0454.

ALSO LISTEN: Kid’s teeth: Sipping with a bottle is a no-no

Tags: HealthNutrition
Sidima Mfeku

Sidima Mfeku

Related Articles

Rooibos
Trending

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

by Ivor Price
16th May 2025
Buthelezi EMS
Trending

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

by Marcus Low and Tamsin Metelerkamp
15th May 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Rooibos
Trending

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

by Ivor Price
16th May 2025

Mzansi's younger generations just love rooibos! From traditional brews to innovative energy drinks, rooibos is the caffeine-free champion capturing the...

Read moreDetails
Buthelezi EMS

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

15th May 2025
Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

15th May 2025
Immune booster

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

13th May 2025
Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

12th May 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers