Ridow-Ann Jasmine English

The nutrition situation in Namibia indicates high rates of malnutrition in children under the age of five, low breastfeeding rates of babies under six months and increasing rates of persons over the age of 25 years, who have non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes type 2. 

As a dietitian in the state hospital, I can confidently say that interventions to improve the nutritional status of the majority of the population still needs much improvement. 

There are various policies and interventions in place in efforts to combat these nutrition-related diseases. 

However, there is a lack of collaboration with dietitians to develop and execute policies that actually work.

The nutrition-related topics covered in the media can be somewhat informative and educational.

 However, most emphasis is placed on click-bait topics, such as ‘fad diets’ and weight loss or dietary strategies that most people cannot sustain. 

It has become a taboo to educate the public on optimising breastfeeding as the first and most impactful nutritional intervention, followed by a plant-based diet to help optimise affordable nutrition for impoverished communities as well as optimising their vitamin and mineral intake.  These topics are the basic interventions people need to hear about to improve nutrition. 

However, the media rarely makes use of sound nutritional advice from qualified dietitians in the country, and many refuse to compensate for media contributions from this profession.

From my experience in the public and private institutions, there seem to be openness from most people to implement beneficial dietary practices into their lifestyle when they get this information from a qualified person, such as a dietitian or nutritionist. 

It is just unfortunate that not many people are willing to pay for these services or able to afford these interventions to improve their well-being. 

The majority still rely mostly on pharmaceutical and medical interventions as their sole source of health, because medical aid schemes promote higher coverage for these services and products. 

When it comes to eating behaviour, the average person eats a diet high in refined carbohydrates and processed meats, high in salt and saturated fats as well as excess alcohol consumption, and little to nothing is being done to motivate against this. 

It has become a societal norm, and statistics can confirm this.

The population of Namibia is an influential group of people, and the majority are literate and open for change and willing to carry on messages of change within their homes and communities. 

This can be leveraged when the media and government stand together to place nutrition education at the forefront of schools, projects, health facilities – NGOs (soup kitchens), engagements, policies and the entertainment industry.

 Moreover to make use of the many dietitians and nutritionists in Namibia (over 50 countrywide), and provide them with platforms and resources to scale up nutrition in their perspective place of influence. 

If we ever want to see the population thrive as a people with optimal nutritional status, the time to act is now. 

*Ridow-Ann Jasmine English is a dietitian.