LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-A Professor of Human Nutrition and Dietetics at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Juliana Anyika-Elekeh, has warned that the root of many chronic illnesses in adulthood, such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease can often be traced back to poor nutrition during adolescence.
She said teenagers should be fed well to avoid risking a lifetime of health complications.
Prof Anyika-Elekeh emphasized the long-term health risks associated with poor adolescent nutrition.
Delivering the university’s 64th Inaugural Lecture, she identified adolescence as a critical stage that shapes lifelong health outcomes.
According to Anyika-Elekeh, nutritional deficiencies during adolescence do not simply disappear with time, they often resurface later in life as serious health conditions, including cancer, stroke, osteoporosis, congenital heart disease, and other degenerative disorders.
“Adolescence is the bridge between childhood and adulthood, and if not nourished properly, it becomes a weak link,” she said.
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She stressed that many adolescents rely heavily on junk food, which lacks essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals.
This dietary imbalance, she warned, contributes to skeletal issues such as bowlegs, knock-knees, and osteoporosis, as well as long-term deficiencies that may trigger chronic illness.
Advising parents, she urged them to prioritize balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, saying, “My advocacy is for adolescents to receive adequate nutrition to avoid preventable health issues later in life.”
Anyika-Elekeh also urged government intervention, highlighting the economic barriers that prevent many families from providing proper nutrition. She called on both federal and state governments to improve salary structures and ensure timely payment to empower parents to afford nutritious food for their children.
Supporting her message, Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo-Iwe, reinforced the importance of diverse food intake and proper meal timing. He noted that failing to address adolescent nutrition could lead to long-term family health challenges, saying, “These problems, if ignored, can lead to outcomes we may not desire.”
Ultimately, the burden of chronic diseases continues to rise and experts like Professor Anyika-Elekeh are sounding the alarm early, advocating that investing in adolescent nutrition isn’t just about today’s meals, but about tomorrow’s health.
