The high prevalence of malnutrition among children under the age of five in the Western Cape is primarily due to poverty, according to organisations that provide food aid.
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This was in response to the Western Cape Stunting Baseline Survey (WCSBS), which was conducted by the Western Cape Department of Health and DG Murray Trust (DGMT) in partnership with researchers from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University. The survey collected data on a representative sample of infants and young children under the age of five and created a comprehensive anthropometric malnutrition profile (stunting, underweight, thinness, overweight, and obesity).
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According to the survey, the Western Cape had a double problem with stunting, malnutrition and obesity. The prevalence of stunting in the WCSBS (17.5%) was just above the 10–19% threshold for children 0–59 months old that is considered to be of medium public health concern.
‘This is as a result of undernutrition, where due to poverty, children in the Western Cape are not receiving sufficient meals, never mind nutritive sound meals,’ Dayne Myles, regional manager of rise against hunger in Cape Town, told IOL. ‘The second burden is that of obesity, which is a growing concern in the Western Cape as well as nationally.’
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‘As an organisation, we focus on feeding highly nutritious, balanced meals to children at ECD centres. All of our meals, consisting of soya, rice, lentils and split peas are also fortified with vitamins manufactured specifically for Rise Against Hunger. By focusing on children at ECD centres, we are able to ensure that children under the age of six specifically receive adequate nutrition on a daily basis (Monday to Friday), cooked on site by the creche, ensuring access to meals. As an organization, we engage with volunteers and corporates to physically pack our meals, in order to grow awareness and action against malnutrition in children.’
According to Mark van der Heever from the provincial department of health, the survey further found that 19.7% of children under the age of two were stunted.
’The Western Cape Education Department’s School Nutrition programme provides nutritious breakfast and lunch meals every school day to approximately 517 000 learners. R557 million has been budgeted for this programme in the 2023/24 financial year, with 1 038 schools, representing 67% of our public ordinary schools, benefiting from this pro-poor and extremely important initiative.’
Van der Heever added that the survey also looked into underlying and direct causes of malnutrition, such as food security, carer capacity, and environmental hygiene. Direct causes included dietary intake and disease.
‘The department continues to work within communities and with its partner organizations to actively engage caregivers in communities and empower them on good health and nutrition (eating and living healthy) by not smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs during pregnancy or breastfeeding; love and attention babies need, and all the support moms need through establishing support systems; and play and stimulation for learning as well as the protection of a safe environment,’ he said.
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Picture: Pexels / Ketut Subiyanto