Nutritional problems in young adults and word therapy

Zimbabwe has experienced a harsh economic climate with potential food insecurity. The current article explores the literature available concerning food, nutrition and eating disorders in Zimbabwean children and young adults, and proposes Christian perspectives towards nursing intervention. In rural areas, termites and madora are frequently consumed, principally because of their perceived nutritional value. Seasonal patterns of rural food consumption studies revealed that the largest number of meals missed in Zimbabwe was in May. Home-grown meals were consumed to a greater extent in May and August than in December-January. Age of the child, residence, and severe stunting and wasting are significant predictors of childhood diarrhoea. Breast feeding may be inadequate in terms of the number of meals offered in high-density towns. The nutritional status of a child is determined by a variety of factors, including biological, social, cultural, and economic, birth status, birth weight, diarrhoeal status, duration of breastfeeding and residence. Anorexia nervosa is very rare amongst black Zimbabweans, although the incidence of obesity is growing in teenagers. Malnutrition should be regarded seriously and appropriate measures taken to ensure that measures are taken with families, community and government to combat it. The role of the Christian community health nurse cannot be obviated.