By Sunday Aikulola
In commemoration of this year’s World Milk Day, Chairman, Nutrition Committee of Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Prof. Tola Atinmo, has advised Nigerians to consume heart-healthy diets, with low saturated fats and others.
Atinmo, while addressing journalists in Lagos, yesterday, said research has shown that many households all over the world depend on milk for their diets, from cheese and beverages to baked foods of all kinds.
Speaking on the theme: “Heart Healthy Milk, Nutritional Foods and Livelihoods,” he further revealed that in Nigeria, 37 per cent of about 30 million children under five years are stunted, according to official figures from the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID), as a result of malnutrition. He said this necessitated the need for production of more milk for consumption and natural economic growth.
Specifically, he added that the school-feeding programme had been identified as an important social protection mechanism as it provided good nutrition and education to children, and as well supported local economies.
According to him, “NHF celebrates World Milk Day in view of the benefits of milk to heart, health and nutrition as we make the commitment to supporting actions aimed at feeding the population with heart-friendly diets.
“This year, NHF seeks to raise awareness of the messaging and actions towards stakeholders’ meeting to engage multi- stakeholders from science, communication, marketing, research, regulatory agencies, laboratories, policy-makers, implementing agencies on government, ministries of education, health, environment, climate civil society organisations, manufacturers’ associations and consumer advocates.”
Meanwhile, in his speech, Brand Manager, Three Crowns, Victor Adeniran, said the brand is committed to Nigerians taking heart-friendly milk and living a healthy life.
Source: The Guardian
