Several people have written to me complaining that it is not only Africans who are malnourished. This is quite correct: malnutrition is a universal problem. But specific types of malnutrition tend to manifest in different communities depending on dietary habits.I happen to focus more on the African type because I have experienced it more.

This topic forms our blog entry at the Nutrition Blog, availlable at 

http://www.nutritionafrica.com/

Due to frequent requests from readers of 'A Healthy You: Tame Africa's Child Malnutrition,' a nutrition blog will soon be available at: http://www.nutritionafrica.com/

The blog will address readers' questions/concerns in short targeted answers.

Thank you very much for your support.

Dr. Nelly.

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Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo

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Dear sisters, I'm writing this letter because I have lost several nieces of mine in child birth in the recent past. This problem has been increasing during an era when it should be decreasing.The same is true for child malnutrition. I was delighted to see the wife of Kenya's Prime Minster, Ida Odinga give this problem the attention it deserves at the United Nations. Below are some quotations from the meeting (Daily Nation of 20th September 2010 titled, 'Ida Odinga rallies first ladies at UN): “Malnutrition destroys young bodies and minds, harms education and work performance and ultimately damages communities. “Nowhere is this more apparent than in Africa. We know the solutions to prevent this cycle, and it is urgent that we, as women and as leaders, set our goals in action,” Mrs Odinga said. About 60 per cent of the world’s chronically hungry people are women.While undernutrition is a critical human development issue across the globe, it is especially prevalent in Africa, where one in four people suffer from malnutrition and 40 per cent are stunted. (Agencies) This is all very good. However, we as a people must try to understand this communal problem, because our friends can only help us effectively if we ourselves understand the problem. I'm addressing you dear sister, because women are the custodians of the culture of a people. Empowered women help build a thriving culture. The opposite is also true.It is our moral obligation, those of us lucky to be reading this to empower ourselves so that the choices we make, which serve as examples to the majority are rooted in knowledge. The first step in empowering yourself is to read around this subject of malnutrition. Don't assume, as we usually tend to do, that you know. It took me many years to learn what I know about malnutrition. This, in spite of the fact that I am a doctor.The fate of your future generations may depend on what you know.

Much has been written and discussed in various fora about the poor leadership across the African nation, both continental and diaspora.A point that is often neglected is the fact that the culture within which our leaders are raised shapes their leadership. The cultural leadership of the continent is deficient in fundamental areas. I will highlight only a few area:

Over the past few centuries, Africans have been subjected to very humiliating circumstances by imperial forces. In all cases, while the Africa masses were the main victims, a few Africans (leaders)benefited immensely, often amassing immense wealth and even power. From slavery, to partitioning the continent, wars of conquests and later colonialisms, some Africans have always thrived at the expense of the masses.

The liberation wars which ushered 'democracy' installed in place leaders from this paradigm; no attention has ever been paid this culture that produces self-centered autocrats who are not ashamed to see the masses starving while they wallow in luxury.A careful examination of the culture often reveals that patriarchal excesses (and womens submission)at the house hold level has been allowed to define the current leadership at the national level.

If Africans want accountable leaders who respect the will of the people, these values have to start in the home. It is not uncommon for an African man to squander the family wealth outside the home. Likewise, national leaders often steal from the public coffers with impunity, the money of finding its way out of the continent to be spent on luxury goods and lifestyles.

Africans seem to treasure their place in society as victims, instead of making the necessary sacrifices in order to become victors. We cannot raise our children on starvation diets, then expect them to compete as equals with others. We cannot ignore setting good examples in the home, then expect our leaders to have good morals. We cannot ignore discipline, hard work and honesty in the home (among other virtues), them expect the same values in our leaders at national level.

Now that Kenya has got a modern constitution, it is going to be very interesting to watch and see how the different regions manage the affairs of their communities. No longer will the leaders hide behind and blame "state tyranny" for the backwardness of their communities.Soon Kenyans will be able to tell who true leaders are. For good leadership has to start at the family/community level.

A friend forwarded the video below and wanted to know what I think:
www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D07RcoY8PM5s%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&h=03c7cy5cbbXiscARFvjeBCo8Szw

My reaction:
Many traditional Africans had weaved in their diets cereal-based alcoholic drinks made from traditional cereals. Research done during the colonial period confirmed that they were rich sources of B-vitamins and minerals.

These were however later criminalized, and in their stead, European spirits (which have little nutritional value)were promoted.Christianity helped make them even sinful. The situation remains the case in many countries today, including Kenya.

While I don't know what particular brand of alcohol this man is promoting, his message makes scientific sense in view of the above. Notice how him and his partner look look relatively healthy compared to the sceptic observers, most of whom look very wasted!

I discuss these issues ie the criminalization of traditional brew, the promotion of European (highly alcoholic) drinks, and the role of christianization in empire building (among other issues)in my second book to be released later this year.

Notice also that the dearth of traditional cereals and alcohols, followed by the introduction of white hybrid maize, a poor source of B vitamins, have all contributed to the continuing poor health of the continents' peoples.
Read more about maize and your health in my book A HEALTHY YOU, availlable at www.nutritionafrica.com, or at Amazon.