Adopt healthier dietary, lifestyle habits, Nigerians told
With low consumption of fruits and vegetables among Nigerians, health experts have urged Nigerians to adopt healthier diets and lifestyle habits.
The experts, who gathered at the 24th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Guild of Medical Directors, expressed concern that ignorance has continued to fuel the dual epidemic of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs, in the country.
In the views of a Consultant Epidemiologist and public health physician, Prof. Akin Osibogun, immediate behavioural change in the choice of diet, in particular, was desirable for the generality of the populace.
Osibogun, who is former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, in a paper entitled: “Combating Non- Communicable Diseases through Lifestyles Changes” said Nigerians have abandoned traditional foods and vegetables, and instead, westernised diets have become the order of the day.
Dual epidemic: He, however, opined that though the dual epidemic is a cause for worry, Nigerians could still do something about several of the diseases if they are determined to make the right lifestyle and diet choices, noting that some of the diseases related to choice could be controlled if choices are altered.
Noting that 7 out of 10 deaths in developed countries are above 70 years while only 2 out of 10 deaths in developing countries like Nigeria are above 70 years, he identified areas in which wrong choices are often made to include diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, sexual activity and recreational activity.
Consume more fruits: Urging Nigerians to consume more fruits and vegetables, Osibogun quoted a study in Lagos state that showed that only about 20 percent eat fresh fruits, 6.6 percent eat fresh vegetables, 29 percent eat cooked vegetables, fish and meat remain the most frequent source of protein.
From the study, egg, chicken and milk appear expensive, cassava and rice are the main sources of carbohydrate with rice now in the lead; 73 percent are using vegetable oils that may be rich in cholesterol while 25 percent use cholesterol-free vegetable oil and 10 percent add extra salt to their food on the table.
He said too much alcohol commonly affects libido and on the long term, interferes with production of the male hormone testosterone, while nicotine damages the circulation and increases the risk of erection problems.
Embrace exercise: Encouraging Nigerians to embrace exercise, he said being physically active may stimulate immune cells that target cold infections and overtraining can also cause an athlete to develop a greater risk of catching colds bugs.
“People must walk where possible. They should engage in exercises that will last up to 30 minutes to an hour at least three times a week to ensure we reduce the risk of NCDs. We need to put in place policies that will encourage people even in their backyards to have small gardens.
On his part, the National President, Guild of Medical Directors Dr. Tony Philips, said the NHIS started well but derailed as a result of various issues.
He disclosed that the present government is trying to correct issues of accreditation, enrolees and relationship of the HMOS and providers, to make a great impact on the health of Nigerians.
