Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa partners with pediatricians and pediatric nutrition experts in Dakar Senegal to promote appropriate complementary feeding
Nestlé Nutrition Institute of Africa (NNIA) held on the 10th of February 2016 a pediatric nutrition symposium for healthcare professionals in Dakar to address the importance and relevance of complementary feeding in child health and nutrition.
NNIA is a multidisciplinary, educational organization dedicated to the science of nutrition in Africa. It provides healthcare professionals with up to date information and developments in early childhood nutrition through publications, workshops, scientific conferences and digital media. The organization is supported by a multidisciplinary scientific board from various countries in Africa.
In his keynote address Professor James Renner, Executive Board Member and Vice Chair of the NNIA Board presented the first 1000 days as a window of opportunity during which appropriate nutrition especially during the crucial period of complementary feeding will go a long way to reduce the more than 30% of infant deaths due to malnutrition in most of our African countries.
During the symposium Professor NDEYE RAMATOULAYE, Pediatrician and university lecturer gave a presentation on the theme: Food Diversification in children in Senegal, challenges and opportunities. In her presentation, she placed particular emphasis on the nutritional aspects of complementary food introduction. The timing (When), content (What), preparation (How). She also stressed on the important role nutritional counselling and education can play in the promotion of appropriate complementary feeding. Nutrition being an important cultural phenomenon in Africa it was also recommended by Professor NDEYE that social workers be brought into contribution to help in closing the gaps between traditional practices and recommendations.
In his closing remarks Professor GUELAYE SALL, Senior Pediatrician, Nutritionist, Former University Head and chairman of the symposium stressed on the fact that although protein-energy malnutrition is receding in most of our African countries the problem of micronutrient deficiencies still remain a major challenge during complementary feeding. As a concrete solution Pr SALL suggested that although ready-to-use industrial complementary foods still face the challenge of accessibility (cost) in some of our African communities, they are a proven solution to the challenge of micronutrient deficiency posed by most of the local homemade foods.
At the end of the symposium, PHILIPPE HASCOET Nestlé Nutrition Business Head for central and West Africa who was present had a word to say in answer to questions by some healthcare professionals present on Nestlé motivation in supporting NNIA. In his discuss M. HASCOET outlined the fact that Nestlé is committed to help children to develop their full potential and live healthier lives by providing science-based product solutions and education service, addressing specific nutritional needs of consumers- such as pregnant women, infants and toddlers. Continued nutrition education for healthcare professionals is part of the company’s global commitment to promote good nutrition practices, hence the support of Nestlé to NNIA and its activities.
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