Qacha’sNek, Aug.04–Machabeng Government Hospital nutritionist, Mrs. ’Mapoulo ’Moso says children under one-year should be breastfed to prevent malnutrition.
In an interview with the Agency, she expressed concern about the escalating cases of malnutrition in the district that are making stunting the dominant symptom.
She said to mark the world breastfeeding week which started on August 01 and will end on the 7th, they have embarked on nutrition campaigns in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The initiative is aligned with this year’s theme, “Let’s make breastfeeding at work, work”.
“So far we have found a lot of children stunted as their mothers stopped breastfeeding at four months yet we encourage exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months,” she said.
She said malnutrition is caused by inadequate food intake, poor quality of diet and when the body is not able to use the consumed food.
She said children under two years old are vulnerable to malnutrition adding that in the first six months they are expected to be breast-fed.
“Often that is the challenge and at that age, children are being given a variety of food not just breast milk and they end up malnourished,” ’Moso said.
