‘Adult malnutrition causes depression, stress’
A professional partner at Optima Leisure Limited and renowned chef, Mr Olayinka Eboda, has said that a healthy lifestyle and feeding habit among Nigerians will not only be effective in dealing with stress and depression, but also enhance economic productivity in the country.
The nutritionist said this during the 8th Annual Health Bazaar organised last Friday by the Live Well Initiative and tagged, ‘Sustainable Development Goals as a catalyst for enhanced corporate sustainability’ in Lagos.
Stressing the need for a healthy lifestyle to guard against malnutrition, Eboda added, “A malnourished adult will most likely suffer from chronic diseases. He may not function properly and this will affect economic productivity. We need to be conscious of what we eat.
“When people are not eating well, it affects their health and prevents the effective maximisation of their potentials in the workplace. When you are malnourished, it gives room for stress and depression. This is why our diet should be managed properly. “
“Malnutrition can be regarded as a situation where the body is unable to get enough nutrients from the food eaten, which is essential for the body to work properly. Adult malnutrition is, however, the occurrence of this inability of the body to get nutrients from food eaten in adults.
“The nutrients the body needs to work properly include fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. These substances give the body energy. These nutrients help the body to grow and repair its broken tissues. They also regulate body functions, such as breathing, body temperature control and the beating of the heart.”