In rural South Africa, access to fresh produce is limited, leading to poor nutrition outcomes. Siphesihle Qange, Jesicca Ronaasen and Rebotile Matoane from the Seriti Institute NPC share why empowering communities through nutrition education creates a ripple effect of positive change.
It is a tragic irony that, despite the productive potential of rural South Africa, the people who live outside the country’s urban centres have limited access to fresh produce. The result is inadequate nutrition outcomes from the youngest to the oldest in a typical rural community.
The global prevalence of poor eating habits contributing to health challenges remains significant. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 2 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and approximately 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016.
Additionally, over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016.
These trends indicate a widespread issue with diet-related health challenges, including child stunting, wasting, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases among adults.
Moreover, according to global nutrition report (2022), in South Africa, progress in dealing with health issues related to unhealthy eating has been slow. Many women, about 42.9%, and men, about 18.2%, are dealing with obesity. This is higher than the average for the region. Diabetes is also a problem, affecting around 14.3% of women and 11.3% of men.
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Need for nutrition education
The prevalence of these health risks is influenced by various factors, including limited access to fresh produce, alongside other lifestyle, socioeconomic, and cultural elements. In addition to the scarcity of fresh produce, there is a paucity of nutrition knowledge. Most people simply do not know what constitutes a healthy diet.
Culturally influenced dietary habits compound this problem, necessitating a focused approach to nutrition education that respects local traditions while promoting healthier choices.
The evidence suggests that strategies to address health and wellbeing at community level must combine access to nutritious food with behaviour change. Bringing conversations to communities around basic education principles is the start to make impactful shifts in rural communities.
The need for positive and simple messaging on nutrition education should not exclude children; it is imperative for them to understand how the food they eat influences their growth and development. In the long term, through collaborative effort, nutrition education will cascade in the community and serve to mitigate the effects of prevalence of diet-related illnesses in children.
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Empowering rural communities
Equipping individuals with nutrition knowledge through education extends beyond personal health; it holds the key to societal and community well-being. Healthier citizens contribute to increased productivity, alleviating pressure on healthcare systems – a matter of particular significance in regions grappling with limited healthcare resources.
In rural South Africa, where preventive measures are paramount, education becomes a cost-effective strategy to improve public health outcomes. Moreover, nutrition education can drive sustainability and food security.
Teaching principles of sustainable agriculture, local sourcing, and food preservation has the potential to fortify food systems, reduce dependence on imports, and encourage environmental stewardship in South African rural communities.
Nutrition education should include themes such as affordable proteins, practical approaches to achieving dietary diversity and eating habits for the whole family.
Simplified messages regarding fruits and vegetables and the benefits of whole foods can go a long way to drive behavioural change in places where the dangers of junk food are not fully appreciated.
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Addressing poverty cycles
The impact of addressing nutrition education and access to nutritious food in rural South Africa extends far beyond individual health outcomes. It can catalyse a transformative ripple effect throughout communities, influencing economic development, social cohesion, and overall quality of life.
With improved nutrition knowledge, individuals are better equipped to make informed decisions about their diet and health, leading to reduced healthcare costs associated with preventable diseases.
By empowering nutrition leaders within these communities, initiatives like the one facilitated by Seriti Facilitation Agency and The DoMore Foundation create a network of advocates who can champion healthier lifestyles, inspiring positive change among peers and future generations. Furthermore, addressing the root causes of poor nutrition in rural areas contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.
When individuals have access to nutritious food and the knowledge to make healthy choices, they are better positioned to pursue education, participate in the workforce, and contribute to economic growth. This, in turn, fosters community resilience and empowers individuals to fulfil their potential.
Ultimately, investing in nutrition education and food security initiatives in rural South Africa not only improves individual well-being but also strengthens the fabric of society, laying the groundwork for sustainable development and a brighter future for generations to come.
Collaboration between the government, private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) is essential for the success of nutrition education initiatives.
Financial assistance, capacity building, advocacy for policy adaptations, and recognition of successful projects at local and national level, can amplify the impact of NGOs in improving health outcomes and building resilient food systems in underprivileged rural areas of South Africa.
- Siphesihle Qange is the SEF programme manager at Seriti NPC, Jesicca Ronaasen is the national orogrammes lead at DoMore Foundation, and Rebotile Matoane is the aRe Bapaleng programme lead at Seriti NPC. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.
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