Eggs have become increasingly expensive in Nigeria in recent months, and this trend has the potential to negatively impact the mental and physical development of under-five children, medical experts have warned.
The experts lamented that with the high cost of eggs, it may become difficult for families to provide their children with enough nutrition to support healthy growth and development.
According to them, eggs are an essential source of nutrition for young children. They provide protein, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for growth and development.
The Feed Industry Practitioner Association of Nigeria had warned that scarcity of eggs, chicken, and other livestock is imminent owing to the rise in the cost of maize and soya beans, which are important for livestock feed production.
FIPAN said Nigerians might begin to depend on eggs, chicken, and other livestock imported at outrageous cost if the Federal Government failed to intervene and release grains from the nation’s reserve to alleviate their plights.
The President, FIPAN, Raymond Isiadinso, at a media briefing, added that the high cost of eggs, chicken, fish, and other poultry products is a result of scarcity of maize and soya beans.
Reacting, a nutritionist and a paediatrician lamented that this could have a serious nutritional impact on the health and well-being of under-five children in the country.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the experts stated that eggs are a highly nutritious food that can provide under-five children with essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
They warned that substituting less healthy foods for eggs may lead to even higher rates of obesity and its associated health risks, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease.
They added that the rising cost of eggs in Nigeria is a cause for concern, as it may lead to nutritional deficiencies in children who depend on this food source.
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, in Nigeria, 37 per cent of children, or 6 million children, are stunted (chronically malnourished or low height for age), more than half of them severely.
UNICEF notes that 18 per cent of children suffer from low weight for height, while 29 per cent of the children are underweight (both acutely and chronically malnourished and low weight for age).
A Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Omotayo Adesiyun, said eggs contain proteins, vitamins, and macronutrients which are all important for eye health, brain development, immune system development, bone health, and muscle health.
Adesiyun, who is a Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, noted that since eggs are the cheapest and are getting harder to acquire, it would be challenging for parents to give their children protein-containing foods.
She added, “Eggs are very important to the nutrition of under-five children not because the nutrients in them are not found in other foods but because they are all found together instead of trying to get them from various sources.
“Eggs contain proteins, vitamins, and macronutrients. They are important for eye health, brain development, immune system development, bone health, and muscle health.
“Like I said earlier, there are other sources of nutrients. Protein and minerals can be found in meat, fish, and milk. The vitamins can be found in fruits and vegetables. But the advantage of eggs is that they are all together
“The problem with the cost of eggs is that virtually all protein-containing foods are very expensive. Eggs are still cheaper than meat and fish.
“We used to advise mothers who can keep chickens to do so so that they could feed their children eggs but the cost of chicken feed is so high now that it might not be practicable.”
The paediatrician, however, said, “If children don’t eat eggs but eat meat, fish and drink milk and eat vegetables and fruits, they will not have a nutritional burden.”
On his part, a registered dietician, Joshua Adetona said denying children eggs may harm their mental and physical growth.
According to him, eggs are a valuable source of protein and nutrients like choline, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain development.
“In addition to the nutritional benefits of eggs, they are also a relatively affordable food option for many families in Nigeria. If the cost of eggs continues to rise, it may place a strain on family budgets and lead to children not getting the nutrition they need.
“Children under five years old are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a lack of proper nutrition. In the first few years of life, a child’s brain develops rapidly and requires adequate nutrition to support this development.
“During the first 1000 days of life, children have a critical window of opportunity for development. They need adequate nutrition during this period to achieve their full potential.
“Without the nutrients provided by eggs, children under five may not reach their full cognitive and physical potential,” he noted.
The nutritionist, however, recommends interventions such as growth monitoring and vitamin supplementation to address any shortfalls in nutrition.
He stressed, “The effects of inadequate nutrition go beyond just physical health. They also have implications for children’s educational attainment and economic productivity in adulthood.”
