Fahmida Hashem :
World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), provides us with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The theme for World Health Day 2018 is ‘Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere’. WHO is calling on world leaders to live up to the pledges they made when they agreed the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, and commit to take concrete steps to advance ‘Health For All’. This ensures that everyone, everywhere can access essential quality health services without facing financial hardship. World Health Day is almost celebrated every year for 2 decade. Health is a primer issue also in Bangladesh for last two decades.
Good health increases productivity, saves medical money, enhances mood and maintains regular weight, helps to be healthier and to live longer. So, stay hydrated, don’t skip meals, and get active.
But it is time to think how men, women and child rights are fulfilled in the world ensuring the right to health. We still face many health problems and we must re-commit in addressing them. For many women, running a home, bringing up children and taking care of elderly relatives, as well as working outside the home, can influence their physical and mental well being. Men are busy with their own profession. Children are growing. Ensuring good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can contribute significantly to health throughout our lives.
Between our busy life and the messages we hear, it is no wonder that many of us suffer from poor nutrition or are confused about nutrition messages. Good nutrition means eating a balanced diet. Poor nutrition is just the opposite, and it can lead to a myriad of health problems.
Good nutrition starts with the basics, a well-round diet consisting of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean sources of protein. Protein is an essential part of any healthy diet. Eating too much animal protein can cause calcium loss and lead to a decrease in bone density and osteoporosis. Women are at a greater risk than men of developing osteoporosis, so it is important to get plenty of calcium to support your bone health. Calcium and magnesium, in combination with vitamin D, are vital for women’s bone health. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, oatmeal and other grains, tofu, cabbage, green beans, garlic. Polyunsaturated fats include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids found in fatty sea fish such as salmon. Other sources include unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.
Bangladeshi women have a key role in their families’ food security. Information campaigns targeting female farmers could lead to reduced poverty and increased food security. Improving education for women could dramatically reduce hunger in developing countries. In anticipation of the Women Deliver 2013 Conference, Food Tank is recommending five ways to invest in women and girls through food and agriculture: Supporting girls’ access to education and success in school, Teaching women sustainable farming practices, Giving women control of their health choices, Addressing violence against women, Providing credit to women in agriculture.
Food insecurity and income are closely linked. There are many negative health outcomes associated with being food insecure. For example, it can lead to an increased risk for nutrient inadequacies, adverse pregnancy outcomes, chronic diseases, depression and distress, poor academic performance, or impaired development of social skills. Although the increasing food costs appear to be a concerning factor, if we compare income case scenario, we quickly see that inadequate income is a major root issue. So we need to improve per person financial outcome because it’s directly related with better health.
Women must also be included alongside men in the design of agricultural and food programs. Women play important role as producers of food, managers of natural resources, income earners, and caretakers of household food and nutrition security. In many countries, increasing assets on which women have control have a positive impact on the next generation, particularly on education and health. Root of a healthier life starts with a women.
World Health Day is a day to recognize the extraordinary acts of better health. We need to be empowered to make our own choices and respond for increasing economic opportunities. While we think of investing in the human capital, we must realize that women health is a key to sustainable and gender-sensitive food policy. Improving access to education, health and economic resources will lead to better food security for the whole world. After all, Healthy Food = Healthy People = Healthy Nation.
World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), provides us with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The theme for World Health Day 2018 is ‘Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere’. WHO is calling on world leaders to live up to the pledges they made when they agreed the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, and commit to take concrete steps to advance ‘Health For All’. This ensures that everyone, everywhere can access essential quality health services without facing financial hardship. World Health Day is almost celebrated every year for 2 decade. Health is a primer issue also in Bangladesh for last two decades.
Good health increases productivity, saves medical money, enhances mood and maintains regular weight, helps to be healthier and to live longer. So, stay hydrated, don’t skip meals, and get active.
But it is time to think how men, women and child rights are fulfilled in the world ensuring the right to health. We still face many health problems and we must re-commit in addressing them. For many women, running a home, bringing up children and taking care of elderly relatives, as well as working outside the home, can influence their physical and mental well being. Men are busy with their own profession. Children are growing. Ensuring good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can contribute significantly to health throughout our lives.
Between our busy life and the messages we hear, it is no wonder that many of us suffer from poor nutrition or are confused about nutrition messages. Good nutrition means eating a balanced diet. Poor nutrition is just the opposite, and it can lead to a myriad of health problems.
Good nutrition starts with the basics, a well-round diet consisting of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean sources of protein. Protein is an essential part of any healthy diet. Eating too much animal protein can cause calcium loss and lead to a decrease in bone density and osteoporosis. Women are at a greater risk than men of developing osteoporosis, so it is important to get plenty of calcium to support your bone health. Calcium and magnesium, in combination with vitamin D, are vital for women’s bone health. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, oatmeal and other grains, tofu, cabbage, green beans, garlic. Polyunsaturated fats include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids found in fatty sea fish such as salmon. Other sources include unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.
Bangladeshi women have a key role in their families’ food security. Information campaigns targeting female farmers could lead to reduced poverty and increased food security. Improving education for women could dramatically reduce hunger in developing countries. In anticipation of the Women Deliver 2013 Conference, Food Tank is recommending five ways to invest in women and girls through food and agriculture: Supporting girls’ access to education and success in school, Teaching women sustainable farming practices, Giving women control of their health choices, Addressing violence against women, Providing credit to women in agriculture.
Food insecurity and income are closely linked. There are many negative health outcomes associated with being food insecure. For example, it can lead to an increased risk for nutrient inadequacies, adverse pregnancy outcomes, chronic diseases, depression and distress, poor academic performance, or impaired development of social skills. Although the increasing food costs appear to be a concerning factor, if we compare income case scenario, we quickly see that inadequate income is a major root issue. So we need to improve per person financial outcome because it’s directly related with better health.
Women must also be included alongside men in the design of agricultural and food programs. Women play important role as producers of food, managers of natural resources, income earners, and caretakers of household food and nutrition security. In many countries, increasing assets on which women have control have a positive impact on the next generation, particularly on education and health. Root of a healthier life starts with a women.
World Health Day is a day to recognize the extraordinary acts of better health. We need to be empowered to make our own choices and respond for increasing economic opportunities. While we think of investing in the human capital, we must realize that women health is a key to sustainable and gender-sensitive food policy. Improving access to education, health and economic resources will lead to better food security for the whole world. After all, Healthy Food = Healthy People = Healthy Nation.
(Fahmida Hashem is ex-consulting nutritionist (Labaid Hospital), chief consulting nutritionist-Miss nutritionist (Center for Nutrition and Weight Management), Asst. Creative Director (Nestle Nutrition Unit; Protishabda Communication)
