Malnutrition

Around half of all children from one to five years of age in Nigeria are malnourished. In the northern part of the country that figure is even higher. Reasons for malnutrition include

Dietary customs: When mothers wean their children, they usually give them "pap" as their main weaning food. Pap is nothing more than a thin pudding made from cornstarch or other similar starch. Naturally it provides inadequate protein, calories, and vitamins. Even when children begin to eat the regular family diet, it consists mostly of starch. Another harmful custom is forbidding children to eat eggs, in the belief that eggs will cause them to become thieves.

	Poverty: In many cases, families simply can't afford to give their children nutritious foods. In fact, it may be difficult even to provide an adequate bulk of low-quality food such as corn, much less the needed variety. Of course, poverty itself has many causes.
	Maldistribution within the family: In many families, the adults (particularly the men) have priority when it comes to food. Young children are often cared for by relatives rather than their own parents, and are sometimes neglected.
	Recurrent illness causes much malnutrition. The ill child often has little appetite, or may be unable to eat, while at the same time she is using more energy and protein than usual. Repeated bouts of malaria, pneumonia, and especially diarrhea make the child prone to malnutrition.
	Failure to make use of good sources of food: Whether from custom or lack of understanding, useful foods are often overlooked or refused. Peanuts ("groundnuts") are a good example. They are a good source of calories and protein. Many families grow peanuts in large quantities, but sell them all in the market rather than giving any of them to the children.