THEME: FOOD NUTRITION AND SAFETY
PRESENTER:
Prof. Judith Kimiywe
Chairperson, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics,
Kenyatta University , Nairobi Kenya
The Magnitude and Severity of the
chronic malnutrition situation in Kenya
• Over 10 million people in Kenya suffer from chronic food
insecurity and poor nutrition.
• 2-4 million people require emergency food assistance at any
given time.
• Nearly 30% of Kenya’s children are undernourished with 35%
stunted.
• Micronutrient deficiencies (iron, vitamin A, Zinc and iodine )
are widespread, with emerging rise in rickets.
Impact: Sustained high rate of stunting adversely affects human
capital and economic progress
0.8% GDP lost due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies (UNICEF &
MI, 2004)
Double Burden of Malnutrition: Overweight
and Obesity
Kenya facing increased cases of new and emerging conditions
and diseases known as non- communicable diseases (NCDs)
Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer, Cardiovascular diseases due to
a rise in Overweight and Obesity (40% in women and 22% in
children)
Causes: Shift to increased consumption of highly refined foods
with added Sugars, Salts & Fats and Shift to reduced physical
activity and sedentary lifestyle
Impact: Early and premature deaths, Increased health care
costs at national and household level, No savings for
investment and poverty circle continues
1000 days- The 11 High Impact Nutrition
Interventions for Kenya
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Exclusive breastfeeding,
Complementary feeding
Hand washing
Iron folate
supplementation
Vitamin A
supplementation
Deworming
Multiple micronutrient
supplementation
Salt iodization
• Zinc supplements for
management of
diarrhoea
• Food fortification of local
staples
• Prevention and treatment
of malnutrition (
moderate and severe
acute forms)
Proven cost-effective
interventions to reverse
malnutrition trends
Policy Environment for Nutrition Improvement:
The National Food and Nutrition Security Policy
This policy provides a close link between food and nutrition
hence key role of agriculture sector
Objectives of the NFNSP:
• To achieve good nutrition for optimum health of all Kenyans.
• To increase the quantity and quality of food available,
accessible and affordable to all Kenyans at all times.
• To protect vulnerable populations using innovative and costeffective safety nets linked to long-term development.
Key priority areas for the NFNSP
• Food availability and
access
• Food safety, standards
and quality control
• Nutrition improvement
and nutrition security
• School nutrition and
nutrition awareness
• School nutrition and
nutrition awareness
• Food and nutrition
security information
• Early warning and
emergency
management
• Institutional and
Implementation
framework
Calls for high level
government
commitment
KENYA NATIONAL NUTRITION ACTION PLAN
2012- 2017-Key Priority Areas
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To improve the nutritional status of
women of reproductive age (15-49
years)
To improve the nutritional status of
children under 5 years of age
To reduce the prevalence of
micronutrient deficiencies in the
population
To prevent deterioration of
nutritional status and save lives of
vulnerable groups in emergencies
To improve access to quality
curative nutrition services
• To improve prevention,
management and control of diet
related Non Communicable
Diseases (NCDs)
• To improve nutrition in schools,
public and private institutions
• To improve nutrition knowledge
attitudes and practices among
the population
• To strengthen the nutrition
surveillance, monitoring and
evaluation systems
• To enhance evidence-based
decision-making through research
• To Strengthen coordination and
partnerships among the key
nutrition actors
Potential to achieving Nutrition Goals
Guiding Documents
• Kenya Vision 2030
• Kenya National Health
Sector Strategic plan
• National Food and
Nutrition Security policy
• National Nutrition Action
Plan
• At global level The MDGs
and Scaling Up Nutrition
framework for action
Guiding Principles
The Constitution of Kenya
2010
• 43 (1 ) (C) Every person
has the right to be free
from hunger and to have
adequate food of
acceptable quality
• 53(1) (C) Every child has
the right to basic
nutrition ,shelter and
health care
Acknowledgements
• Presentation is based on data contained in the DRAFT Paper
on Reducing Chronic Malnutrition in Kenya: A Situation
Analysis and Recommendation for a multisectoral response
by;Emily Levitt Ruppert, Ziauddin Hyder, Terry Wefwafwa,
Huihui Wang, John Newman
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The Government of Kenya reports
The ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
The Ministry of Agriculture
Data from the development partners (UNICEF, WHO, World
Bank, USAID, GAIN, MI, WFP, World Vision)
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