The need to deal with under-nutrition, mineral as well as vitamin deficiencies and other diet-related chronic diseases has compelled YONECO to embark on providing nutrition education in Machinga district.
Many people in Malawi are affected by undernutrition, mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Diet-related chronic diseases are increasingly impacting on socioeconomic welfare of people in the country. Further to this, several studies have indicated that a healthy diet and good nutritional status helps people living with HIV to better tolerate Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and maintain a healthy weight.
The Project Officer for YONECO in Machinga, Margret Piringu, stated that nutrition education is very important in Malawi, a country where adult (15-64 years) HIV prevalence is about 10.6 percent.
‘People, especially those who live in rural areas, need to know about eating the right food and what constitutes a healthy diet as well as how to choose and prepare a good meal,’ said Piringu.
According to Piringu, the institution is promoting nutritious foods that are locally available in the targeted areas. Cooking demonstrations are also part of the methods used in the lessons.
So far, a total of 350 men and women from various villages across the area of Group Village Head (GVH) Mdala, Traditional Authority (TA) Liwonde have been reached with the education sessions.
