Nutrition specialists are pushing for the integration of aquatic foods, especially fish, into the School Feeding Programme to enhance the nutritional value of meals provided to children.
At the launch of the Aquatic Foods in School Meal Project, Dr Jolene Nyarko, a nutrition expert from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI), emphasized that adding fish to school menus would improve children's health and support livelihoods within the fish value chain. "Fish is packed with essential nutrients like protein, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamins D and B12, crucial for growth, immune function, and overall well-being," she stated.
Dr Nyarko highlighted the urgency of diversifying school meals, citing evidence of stunting, thinness, and malnutrition among school-age children.
She referenced a CSIR study in the Volta Region involving 650 children, which revealed that 50 percent were stunted, 19 percent underweight, and 7 percent overweight, underscoring the need for better nutrition.
