INTRODUCTION
As part of ensuring good nutrition, food safety practices and eating healthy food, the Obuasi East District organize a week training for food handlers and vendors from 1st to 8th September 2022. A total of two hundred and six-seven [267] consisting of fifty-three [53] males and two hundred and fourteen [214] females from Akaporiso, Domeabra, Odumase, Ayease, Jimiso, Boete, Nyamesomyede, and Dawuoso were educated on good nutrition, income generation and preparation of nutritious and safe food. Out of this total was 12 School Feeding Contractors, who participated in the programme.
A proper understanding of all aspects of good nutrition is essential to addressing the problem of malnutrition in the district. The major cause of malnutrition is insufficient/imbalanced intake of foods/nutrients. Food not only supply nutrients but also provide a host of other components [non-nutrient phytochemicals], which have a positive impact on health. Given that nutrients come from the food we eat, food-based approaches are an important pathway for attaining optimal nutritional status. Nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet. A healthy diet throughout life promotes healthy pregnancy outcomes, supports normal growth, development and ageing, helps to maintain a healthy body weight and reduces the risk of chronic diseases leading to overall health and well-being. Better nutrition helps to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases [such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease] and longevity. Healthy children learn better.
TOPICS TREATED
Food is anything solid or liquid which when swallowed, digested and assimilated in the body provides it with essential substances called nutrients and keeps it well. It is the basic necessity of life. Food supplies energy enables growth and repair of tissues and organs. The three main types of foods are energy –giving foods, bodybuilding foods, and protective food.
- Energy – giving food: They are made of carbohydrates and fats. Carbohydrates provide us with instant energy, while fats are stored as energy resources,
- Body – building foods: Proteins are considered body – building foods as they help in body growth and help in repairing damaged parts of the body,
- Protective foods: Protective foods are mainly vitamins and minerals since they protect us from many diseases. They give us resistance to disease-causing germs and
- food and personal hygiene practices as a food handler.
IMPORTANCE OF FOOD
- It helps for proper functioning of every internal and external organs of the body.
- It gives nutrients to the body for growth and development.
- It gives energy to the body.
- It helps to repairs and maintain the body cells.
- It makes the body to be healthy and active
NUTRITION
The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. To receive adequate and appropriate nutrition, people need to consume a healthy diet, which consists of a variety of nutrients, the substances in foods that nourish the body.
NUTRIENTS
Nutrients are the chemical substances present in food and are responsible for nourishing the body. Nutrients are of two types, macronutrients and micronutrients. Both macronutrients and the micronutrients are equally essential for good health. Each nutrient plays a significant role in the body.
- Macronutrients these are present in large quantities in foods and are required in large amounts by the body. Carbohydrates, proteins, fat and oils are macronutrients.
- Micronutrients other important nutrients, which are, present in small quantities in foods but are essential for our body. These are minerals and vitamins and are required in very small quantities.
If these micronutrients are not eaten in required amounts, it results in deficiency diseases.
It reduces high blood pressure.
It lowers high cholesterol.
It improves your wellbeing.
It improves your ability to fight off illness.
NUTRITIOUS FOOD
A diet consisting of a variety of different types of food from each food groups and is most likely to provide all the essential nutrients, according to age, gender and physical activity. A balanced diet is important to maintain health and a sensible body weight. No single food will provide all the essential nutrients that the body needs to be healthy and function efficiently.
IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD
It helps to meet the nutritional demand of the body and prevent malnutrition.
It keeps up energy levels and maintain normal body functions.
It boosts the immune system and optimize cell repair.
It prevents lifestyle diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers.
It reduces high blood pressure
It lowers high cholesterol
It improves your well being
It improves your ability to fight off illness
FUNCTIONAL FOOD GROUPS
They are foods that offers health benefits beyond their nutritional value.
MALNUTRITION: Is the condition that results from an imbalance between dietary intake and requirements. It includes under nutrition, which is generally related to poor quality, or insufficient quantity of nutrient intake, absorption or utilization and over nutrition refers to an excessive intake of one or more nutrients, which creates a stress in the bodily function.
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Tiredness, loss of energy
Reduced ability to perform normal tasks
Reduced physical performance- for example, not being able to walk as far or as fast as usual
Altered mood- malnutrition can be associated with lethargy and depression
Poor concentration
Poor growth in children
TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING
Choose good carbs, not no carbs
Choose foods with healthy fat, limit foods high in saturated fat, and avoid foods with Trans fat
Choose a fiber filled diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits
Eat more vegetables fruits
Eating safe food by ensuring food hygiene and personal hygiene practices
PARTICIPANTS
| COMMUNITY | MALE | FEMALE | TOTAL |
| Akaporiso | 14 | 40 | 54 |
| Domeabra | 5 | 18 | 23 |
| Odumase | 5 | 17 | 22 |
| Boete | 11 | 26 | 37 |
| Ayease | 1 | 47 | 48 |
| Jimiso | 3 | 23 | 26 |
| Nyamesomyede | 11 | 20 | 31 |
| Diawuoso | 3 | 23 | 26 |
| TOTAL | 53 | 214 | 267 |
RECOMMEDATION
It is recommended that, more of this program should be organized regularly to promote health especially among women and children
source:
JAMES GAMOR
DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER
OBUASI EAST DISTRICT ASSEMBLY