A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF HIGH RATE OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF FOOD INSECURITY UNDER PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Malnutrition is a medical condition that occurs when a person's nutrition is either insufficient or excessive, leading to harmful effects (Malik, 2021). The World Health Organization (WHO) states that "poor nutrition status" is the primary and significant danger to global health. Adequate nutrition is the crucial factor in enabling individuals to lead healthy and productive lives. Malnutrition hinders the economic growth that is passed down from one generation to another in a country (Tariq et al., 2019). The negative impact of hunger on health results in a decrease in human capital due to an educational disparity and a consequent shortage of competent workers caused by impaired cognitive development and lower academic achievement (Alonso et al., 2018). Poor health can be attributed to insufficient food consumption and low-quality diet, which are directly or indirectly linked to the top 6 out of the 11 worldwide risk factors related to dietary imbalances (James et al., 2019) 

Malnutrition manifests as undernutrition, characterized by stunting, wasting, and underweight, and/or over-nutrition, which is associated with excessive consumption of protein and energy (Stevenson et al., 2017). In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) established complementary feeding indicators, namely minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) (4). These indicators are considered crucial during the early years of a child's life as they play a significant role in shaping their eating habits, which can have both immediate and long-lasting effects on their health (WHO, 2021). Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) or protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a critical condition that poses a risk to life and demands immediate attention (Bernard et al., 2019). Throughout its history, this condition has been referred to by various names, including protein-calorie malnutrition, PEM, oedematous malnutrition, nutritional oedema, severe wasting, or depending on specific clinical symptoms such as marasmus, kwashiorkor, or marasmic kwashiorkor. 

Nigeria ranks in the top 10 countries with a high prevalence of malnutrition among children under the age of 5 (Ani et al., 2023). It ranks second in terms of the number of children suffering from stunted growth globally and has a child-wasting prevalence that is higher than the global norm (Asher, 2023). In Nigeria, over 50% of children under the age of 5 in the North East and North West geopolitical zones experienced stunted growth. The remaining regions of Nigeria accounted for 22.0% of cases of stunting in children under the age of 5. Nigeria, along with the global community, is currently facing a severe food shortage, which has been worsened by climate change, escalating inflation, and conflicts like the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, Nigeria has a history of conflict. Since 2009, the Northeast region has experienced the presence of violent extremists who have been causing terror in the BAY (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe) States. As a result, more than 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes, 8.7 million people require assistance, and approximately 600,000 people are facing severe food insecurity. Among those in need, women and children make up more than 80% (Dipo, 2023).

Nigeria is expected to become the fourth most populated country in the world by 2050, following China, India, and the United States of America. While Nigeria's agriculture sector is strong and has the ability to support its growing population, the government has struggled to fully utilize this potential. Nigeria possesses more than 34 million hectares of cultivable land. During the first quarter of 2022, the agricultural sector contributed 22.4% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria, with more than 70% of the population involved in agricultural activities, mostly for subsistence purposes (Umondak et al., 2023). Food production remains inadequate due to the disparity between domestic demand and supply, despite its considerable potential. The main causes of this problem include insufficient irrigation, an obsolete land tenure structure, and disturbances in the sector's supply chain, which have been worsened by the COVID-19 outbreak (Dipo, 2023). Furthermore, in the Northwest region, the prevalence of armed banditry, kidnapping, and assaults on agricultural and pastoral communities in states such as Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara has exacerbated the situation. Due to the prevailing circumstances, farmers have been compelled to either relinquish their fields or provide monetary compensation to criminal groups in order to secure access. This unfortunate situation has exacerbated the escalating inflation rates and adversely affected the output of food (Tonepiri, 2023).

The current food crisis has the potential to greatly exacerbate the health indicators of the country. Nigeria ranks second globally in terms of the prevalence of malnutrition, with 32% of children under the age of five experiencing stunted growth or chronic malnourishment (Dipo, 2023). This is attributed to a multitude of reasons, with the most significant being inadequate nutrition. Malnutrition is accompanied by several issues, such as weakened immunity, which makes children more susceptible to diseases and increases the likelihood of death, hence exacerbating the country's child mortality rates (Ogaga, 2023). This also presents a substantial menace to economic progress, as stunting contributes to inadequate cognitive development, subpar academic performance, and diminished productivity in adulthood, potentially causing economic losses of up to 11% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Federal Government has implemented many measures to enhance domestic food production and decrease dependence on imports. These include the prohibition on rice imports in 2019, as well as the implementation of the Agriculture Promotion Policy and the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (Adeyemi, 2022). President Tinubu's administration has also implemented several policy steps to address these concerns. Nevertheless, it is necessary to thoroughly analyze the effectiveness of these initiatives in reducing food insecurity, especially among susceptible groups like children. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Malnutrition is a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among children, due to widespread food poverty experienced by many families. Malnutrition, especially in children, has significant implications for health, cognitive development, and overall well-being, resulting in long-term negative repercussions on the country's human resources. President Tinubu's administration has implemented numerous policies and programmes to address the issues of food insecurity and malnutrition. However, despite these efforts, certain obstacles persist, impeding further development.

Recently, the insurgency has become the primary threat to food security in Nigeria. Nigeria is currently grappling with a major issue, which is one of the most serious challenges it has encountered since achieving independence from Britain in 1960 (Sule et al., 2024). The North East region of Nigeria, which is one of the six geo-political zones, has a vital role in supplying essential food items like cereals and wheat, along with a substantial amount of dairy products and animal protein in the form of meat. Nevertheless, it is presently encountering a grave peril from militants (Raymond, 2024). The agricultural activities in the areas have been disrupted, resulting in the cessation of firms valued in the millions of US Dollars. This has not only affected the food security of the region, but it has also affected almost every part of the country, resulting in a substantial rise in the prices of essential food items across Nigeria. More than one million individuals have been forcefully displaced, both domestically and internationally, leading to a death toll over ten thousand (Nsikan, 2024). The remaining individuals in the affected regions are unable of maintaining their agricultural activities in those areas, resulting in a disruption of the country's agricultural value chain and thus contributing to a decrease in food production. The problems arose in 2009 and escalated in 2014, continuing until now.

Food insecurity in Nigeria is significantly influenced by poverty. A significant portion of the population in Nigeria lacks the financial means to purchase an adequate amount of food. The cause of this situation can be attributed to inadequate remuneration, exorbitant food costs, and a lack of employment opportunities. Nigeria, with a population of about 206 million people, has the title of being the most populated country in Africa (Adekunle et al., 2024). Malnutrition is a significant concern that impacts the population. According to Okafor et al. (2024), 40% of the population, which is equivalent to 82 million people, live below the International Poverty Line of $1.90 per day. Additionally, another 25% of the population is considered vulnerable. According to the Institute of Development Studies, United Kingdom (Adekunle et al., 2024), Nigeria was listed as the second least affordable country for food worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the problem of high rates of malnutrition among children caused by food insecurity during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess the issue of high rate of malnutrition among children as a result of food insecurity under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To assess the prevalence of malnutrition among children under President Tinubu’s administration.

To find out whether there is a relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition among children.

To identify key risk factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition.

To proffer solutions to address food insecurity and malnutrition among children

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What is the level of malnutrition among children under President Tinubu’s administration?

What is the relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition among children?

What are the key risk factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition?

What are the solutions adopted to address food insecurity and malnutrition among children?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: The level of prevalence of malnutrition among children under President Tinubu’s administration is low

Ha: The level of malnutrition among children under President Tinubu’s administration is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to drive meaningful change in addressing child malnutrition caused by food insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. This study aims to develop a primary benchmark for the public health, as well as for policymakers and the government. Moreover, it will also enhance the academic performance of children.

The study will be highly significant for the public health as it will help raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthier eating practices among families and communities. Addressing malnutrition will lead to significant improvements in the health and development of children, reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Malnutrition significantly affects cognitive development and educational attainment. Improving nutritional status can enhance academic performance and educational outcomes for children. As we all know, Well-nourished children are more likely to attend school regularly, reducing absenteeism and dropout rates.

Furthermore, this study will provide government officials and policy makers with vital insights that help guide the formulation and implementation of effective food security programmes. Furthermore, it will furnish the administration with guide in crafting effective food security and nutrition policies.

Moreover, future academics will employ it as a comprehensive analysis of existing literature. As a result, other students who are interested in exploring this topic will have the opportunity to use this work as a source that may be analyzed and assessed. The study unequivocally improves the current academic comprehension on the topic a critical assessment of high rate of malnutrition among children as a result of food insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focuses to critically assess the issue of high rate of malnutrition among children as a result of food insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Specifically, this study seeks to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among children under President Tinubu’s administration and find out whether there is a relationship between food insecurity and malnutrition among children. 

Further, this study will focus on identifying key risk factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition, and it also seeks to proffer solutions to address food insecurity and malnutrition among children.

1.8 Limitations of the study

As is common in all human endeavours, the researchers faced minor limitations when conducting the study. The main limitation was the lack of extensive literature on the subject, as there is limited data available for a critical assessment of high rate of malnutrition among children as a result of food insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Consequently, a significant amount of time and effort was necessary to locate the appropriate materials, books, or information and to gather data. Additionally, this study is constrained by its small sample size and narrow geographical scope, focusing just on Nigeria. Consequently, the results of this study are not applicable for generalization, thereby leaving room for further research. 

Furthermore, the researcher faced a time constraint due to the need to do this research while also fulfilling the obligations of attending lectures and other educational activities.

1.9 Definition of terms

Food security: Food security is when a person is able to obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a day-to-day basis.

Food insecurity: Food insecurity is when a person cannot find adequate amounts of healthy food on a daily basis. Food security happens when a person does get the recommended amount of healthy food on a daily basis.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a medical condition that occurs when a person's nutrition is either insufficient or excessive, leading to harmful effects.