Source: newsthemegh.com
The Eastern Regional Health and Education Directorates have expressed grave worries about undernutrition among schoolchildren and an increase in sedentary behavior, warning of non-communicable disease health crises such childhood cancer, type II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular illnesses.
The Eastern Regional Deputy Health Director Dr. John Ekow Otoo highlighted that there has been a drop in malnutrition among children under 5 years old at a joint news conference by GHS and GES on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
However, there has been a noticeable rise in undernourishment, overweight/obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies among schoolchildren and adolescents. This is being attributed to bad eating habits, such as the consumption of sweets and other foods of low nutritional value.
Dr. John Ekow Otoo, the deputy health director for the Eastern region, stated that this is the reason GHS and GES in the Eastern region launched the Nutrition Friendly Initiative in 130 Basic Schools across 26 MMDAs with UNICEF’s support. This initiative aims to improve schoolchildren’s health through nutritious meals, fruit consumption, ensuring hygiene and safety, among other things.