By Abolude Yusuf
Nutrition is a must for every human being; what we ingest should be driven by knowledge rather than intrinsic hunger zeal in us. Hence the need to know about an animal food of increasing global consumption. Fish is an excellent animal source of high biological value protein,rich in abundant omega 3 fatty acids,vitamins A,D& B,Calcium and essential micro-nutients.
It has shifted from aquaculturist view to a point of global health relevance in developed countries in preventing public health burden such as hypertension, coronary artery disease,high blood cholesterol,stroke,age related memory deterioration and lastly depression in adults. Without exception in children, it has found a public health role in brain development,prevent childhood asthma and improves vision.
However, it is a different health measure in developing countries where under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiency and nutritional deficiency due to acute or chronic illness still mounting. Hence the need to have a critical look at a coastal town in Ondo state, Nigeria.
Igbokoda, the study town in concern has the longest fishing coastline in Nigeria with a high prevalence rate of both fish consumption and commercial fish. From a cross sectional study done recently to look at the nutritional knowledge and awareness on health risks of fish consumption there. There were alarming findings that really need urgent attention of the people concerned in form of “health education” which is a good panacea for the people in a community with burden of diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis, which has in recent time becomes an emerging threat there. The most likely question in this regard a health conscious person may want to ask is, WHY is the attention urgently needed? The following will suffice. In this affected area,there is:
-High rate of consumption of smoked and salted fish.
-Low level of awareness on health risks associated with fish consumption.
-Substandard fish processing and storage methods.
-Consumption rate driven majorly by availability and income rather than nutritional awareness.
-Fair knowledge of health benefits of fish consumption.
Considering the above mentioned observations, one cannot but feel concern about the likely challenges that may ensued from this wanton problems which include,among other ones;
-Under maximisation of nutrients in fish through substandard processings and storage method.
-Risk of hypertension among people who craves for salted and smoked fish.
-Risk of Occupational lung diseases or exacerbation of existing lung or airway diseases such as tuberculosis, emphysema, or asthma from exposure to irritants or smokes among primary handlers of fish processed by smoking in adults and children not exempted.
-Risk of food poisoning from fish which could be microbial or chemical from poor processing or storage.
-RIsk of fish allergy peculiar to some fish products(shell fish and finned fish) in susceptible people.
In view of the above,it is of public health benefit to recommend the following measures;
-Mass awareness by health workers to intensify and promote research based benefits of fish consumption across any age group
-Coordinated efforts towards enlightment on proper fish processing methods to maximise nutritional benefits of fish consumption.
-Government interventions by establishing a standard commercial fish processing and storage facilities that will meet a world food safety standard:
In conclusion, it is paramount to know consumption of fish can be used as an health intervention strategy in children of ondo state in particular, and Nigeria in general to boost immunity which is the bed rock of surviving infectious diseases of childhood after immunisation at a critical period, in which we are battling with scourge .This can be achieved by complying with the standard recommended daily intake acceptable in developed countries where fish intake is undoubtedly mounting good outcomes.
The rising burden of micronutrient deficiencies such as zinc, calcium, iron, vitamin A, which Africa has a major contributor to the estimated 2billion sufferers in the world, according to World Health Organisation 2001 findings, can easily be met by mass advocacy for consumption of whole fish which are rich in these nutrients especially, the bones, heads and viscera.
Lastly,whether fish is caught or farmed, the benefits still outweighs the risk. All types of fish are good. On this note, I will say good nutrition is a must; not a choice across any age group. It is time to bridge the gap that exists between developed countries and developing countries in affordable and important health measures like this.
Dr Yusuf is a Medical practitioner in Ondo state.
