Good nutrition important

THEY say in any society, access to food and good nutrition is the cornerstone for good health and development.
Good nutrition is the key to good mental and physical health.
Eating a balanced diet is an important part of good health for everyone.
The kind and amount of food you eat affects the way you feel and how your body works.
On the flip side, is what health experts also term as poor nutrition which can contribute to stress, tiredness and our capacity to work, and over time, it can contribute to the risk of developing some illnesses and other health problems such as: being overweight or obese, tooth decay and high blood pressure.
In 2011, the government released Vision 2050 which is the roadmap for PNG to reach the goal of becoming a smart, fair, wise, healthy and happy nation.
Nutritional planning involves formulation of a nutrition policy and overall long term planning to improve production and supplies of food, ensure its equitable distribution and programmers to increase the purchasing power of people.
Across the world, malnutrition is pervasive and widespread.
Many associate malnutrition as only being a problem in countries on the brink of famine, but in fact it is experienced in one way or another by nearly every country on earth.
Malnutrition is a universal problem that has many forms.
It affects most of the world’s population at some point in their lifecycle, from infancy to old age.
No country is untouched. It affects all geographies, all age groups, rich people and poor people and all sexes.
It is a truly universal problem.
The malnutrition situation in PNG must be addressed through comprehensive management system as it is serious and a life threatening condition with terrible consequences.
It is no secret that malnutrition is a health emergency here and the underlying cause for the majority of deaths of children under the age of five.
According to the 2018 Global Nutrition Report, the Pacific is in a better position to tackle malnutrition globally than we have ever been.
For example, we now know more about what people eat, why it matters, and what needs to be done to improve diets.
Across the world we are seeing the benefits of well-funded nutrition plans, with strong nutrition targets championed by influential decision makers.
Last week, the launch of the PNG National Nutrition Policy 2016-2026 was deferred because of an urgent NEC meeting and ministers were supposed to attend could not attend.
The policy aims to focus and build momentum towards improved nutrition status, especially of the vulnerable groups, which is a prerequisite for a healthy and productive nation. And it represents the coming together of several government departments, development partners, and civil society, each with a stake in the delivering the outcomes of improvements in nutrition.
A multi-sectoral response is essential to address the multiple social determinants of malnutrition.
The implementation of key nutrition strategies will make an important contribution to our PNG vision 2050 to improve the lives of all Papua New Guineas and we hope it is launched soon.
And it will need the political commitment from the government to drive it.
For our nation to achieve this vision addressing the nutrition challenges that face our country very critical.