As schools break for the holidays and children return home, paediatric specialist Dr Nabukeera Nicolette is urging parents to take a more deliberate approach to nutrition, warning that poor feeding habits could have lasting health consequences.
“A good diet and active lifestyle will help children grow well, stay healthy, and perform better in school,” she emphasised.
Dr Nabukeera, an Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, notes that many children gravitate toward fast foods and sugary snacks when given more freedom at home—choices she describes as appealing but harmful.
“Children love these foods and would eat them every day if allowed, but they are not good for their health,” she cautioned, linking frequent consumption to rising cases of overweight and obesity.
According to Dr Nabukeera, Uganda is increasingly facing a “double burden” of malnutrition, where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist. While some children lack essential nutrients for proper growth, others consume excess calories with limited physical activity.
She stresses that nutrition must be matched with movement.
“What goes into the body needs to be used. Without exercise, children will accumulate excess weight and become unhealthy,” she explained, pointing to sedentary lifestyles driven by prolonged screen time.
Dr Nabukeera advises parents to maintain structured feeding routines, with three main meals—breakfast, lunch, and supper—supplemented by two healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts, or groundnuts. Foods like chapati and mandazi, she says, should be occasional treats rather than daily staples.
Beyond weight concerns, she warns that poor nutrition exposes children to broader health risks. Overweight children face increased likelihood of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 Diabetes at an early age, alongside psychosocial challenges such as low self-esteem.
On the other hand, undernourished children may suffer from anaemia, stunted growth, and reduced academic performance due to inadequate nutrient intake.
She highlights key warning signs for parents to monitor, including poor growth, low energy levels, and lack of concentration—indicators of undernutrition. Conversely, excessive weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, may signal overnutrition.
With many children returning from boarding schools craving sodas and fast foods, Dr Nabukeera urges parents to resist overindulgence and instead reinforce healthy habits.
“Let’s give them fruits, encourage vegetables, limit screen time, and promote physical activity,” she advised. “Children should play, do chores, and engage in activities that make them sweat—it is essential for their health.”
She adds that children under five years are particularly vulnerable to poor nutrition, as well as adolescent girls who require balanced diets to support their health, especially during menstruation.