Nutrition & Food Security

Sub-Saharan food and nutrition situation is espoused in the various countries’ Food Security Plans and Nutrition Security Policy (FNSP) developed Food and Nutrition Security Strategy (FNSS) identifies key priority areas which if implemented would greatly contribute to realization of optimal nutrition in Kenya. the Nutrition Action Plans for individual horn of Africa nations are based on these blueprints, conducted nutrition situation analysis and proposals from extensive consultations with nutrition stakeholders. That informed the development of strategic objectives and corresponding intervention activities.

The HiNi interventions include: exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, iron folate, vitamin A and zinc supplementation, hand washing, deworming, food fortification and management of moderate and severe acute malnutrition.

EPS KENYA Corroboration with the Sun Initiative Concept

EPS Kenya, in its nutrition activities clearly corroborates with the tenets of the step up commitments to scale up Malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, is a significant public health problem in SSA. Micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in SSA region and Kenya in particular, as SUN points out, particularly at crucial stages of the life cycle when needs for specific minerals and vitamins are known to be high. SUN notes that Vitamin and mineral deficiencies exist even among population groups with sufficient food in terms of meeting energy requirements. Children under five years are particularly affected by deficiencies in vitamin A (84% of children), iron (73.4%), and zinc (51%). Women, especially pregnant women, are among the most vulnerable with a high risk of iron deficiency (60% among pregnant woman) and vitamin A deficiency (39%). An estimated 16% of adult males suffer from iron deficiency (anemia). The major factors contributing to high malnutrition in Kenya include; increasing food insecurity, as a result recurrent droughts and rising food prices; poor dietary diversity and poor access to fortified foods; inadequate quantities of food; and other underlying factors like poor hygiene, child care and feeding practices and low access nutrition services.

In agreement with SUN, EPS KENYA seeks to:

1. Improve nutrition status of children under five
2. Improve nutritional status of women of reproductive age (15-49 years)
3. Reduce the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in the population
4. Prevent deterioration of nutritional status and save lives of vulnerable groups in emergencies
5. Improve access to quality curative nutrition services
6. Improve prevention, management and control of diet related NCDs
7. Improve nutrition in schools and other institutions