Vitamin Information Center

South Africa has launched its first ever national Vitamin “A” campaign, which aims to reach a total of 4 million children over an intensive 12 day period ending on 20 September, 2008.

According to UNICEF, this is the first time that the Department of Health in South Africa has conducted an intervention of this scale, in all provinces, with the primary aim of increasing Vitamin “A” coverage rates. In select provinces, the campaign roll out will follow an integrated approach including vitamin A supplementation, deworming and some growth screening using Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tapes.

“Globally, it is estimated that the provision of twice yearly vitamin A supplements to children can contribute to the reduction of child mortality by 23 per cent,” said Joan Matji, Senior Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF South Africa. “UNICEF estimates that in order to maximize the impact of Vitamin “A” supplementation on child mortality, at least 70 per cent of children in South Africa need to be provided with vitamin A supplementation every 6 months, she added.”

UNICEF in partnership with the Department of Health has over the years managed implementation of national high impact interventions to prevent further deterioration in micronutrient deficiencies in South Africa, especially amongst the most vulnerable children and women. “An example is the national flour fortification programme, which is now being introduced in other countries it the region,” Ms Matji said.

South Africa’s first national nutrition survey among children 6-71 months, found that 33.3 per cent of children are deficient in Vitamin “A”. This prevalence indicates that deficiency in Vitamin “A” is a serious health concern for the country. Since the effect of one capsule of vitamin A administered to a child lasts for only four to six months, health experts recommend that a supplement be provided twice yearly to children during the first 5 years of life.

The 2008 Vitamin “A” supplementation Campaign

A 1999 South Africa’s National Food Consumption Survey showed that most children appear to consume a diet low in energy and poor in protein quality and micronutrient density. It also found that one out of two children aged 1-9 years have an intake of approximately less than half the recommended level for Vitamin “A”. In response, routine supplementation to children aged 6 to 59 months and to post partum women has been implemented at South African health facilities as a policy since 2003.

UNICEF has actively supported every step of this first Vitamin “A” campaign by bringing in a technical expert to guide the planning phase, mobilizing partners such as the Micronutrient Initiative and the Canadian International Development Agency to secure vitamin A capsules, scissors and indelible ink, and in documenting the campaign experience, including assessing the number of children reached, the costs and the impacts. UNICEF will also help determine the sustainability of this new intervention.

“UNICEF looks forward in future to supporting the implementation of a more integrated vitamin “A” supplementation programme that is part of an overall child survival package in order to truly accelerate high impact interventions in the country, “ Ms. Matji said.

The official launch of this campaign was undertaken by the National Minister of Health at J. Dumane Community Health Centre in Voslorus, Ekhuruleni, Gauteng Province.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For further information please contact UNICEF South Africa: http://www.unicef.org/southaftrica
Yvonne Duncan, yduncan@unicef.org, Mobile +27 82 561 3970
Joan Matji, Jmatji@unicef.org, Mobile: + 27 79 498 4993

It takes more than drinking milk to strengthen our bones. Milk is certainly a good source of calcium, but it is only one option to prevent or retard osteoporosis, the disease that affects one out of every two women over the age of 50.

Bone density begins its slow decline between the ages of 25 and 30. By the age of 70, women can lose up to 30 percent of that density. By age 75, osteoporosis becomes as common in men as it is in women.

Osteoporosis means “porous bones” and is considered the third-leading health issue in our country, after cardiovascular and cancer problems. The most threatening areas for fractures to occur are in the spine, hips and wrists.

When bones become weak and brittle, actions as easy as bending over or even coughing can cause fractures. While hip fractures usually are a result of a fall, many fractures occur without involving any falls.

Compression fractures can develop when bones in your back simply become too weak, resulting in a stooped posture. This will increase pressure around your spine, eventually causing more compression fractures.

Three of the major risk factors for osteoporosis that we can control are lack of regular exercise, too little calcium intake and an inadequate amount of vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption.

People who have been physically active in their younger years have an advantage over their non-active friends: While the active types may lose some bone as they age, their chances of suffering fractures from having brittle bones are greatly reduced.

It never is too early or too late to begin strengthening the muscles and the bones. Exercise can improve muscle strength, bone density, posture and balance, all of which will help prevent falls.

If you already have osteoporosis, exercising can help maintain your bone mass. You should replace any high-impact exercise that could place stress on your spine (such as jogging) with more gentle weight-bearing exercises (walking).

Similarly, bending and twisting movements at the waist (such as in golf, tennis and situps) should be avoided, because they could cause the already weakened spinal bones to compress and possibly fracture.

It is important to check with your physician or physical therapist before you begin exercising, because you need to find the safest and most enjoyable exercises depending on your degree of bone loss.

Exercise prevents osteoporosis

Muscles become stronger and bone density increases as you place demands upon them; bone is a living tissue that reacts positively to exercise.

Commitment to consistent exercise is essential, because once you cease exercising, bone density benefits will also cease.

For strengthening and helping to maintain healthy bones, it is recommended to do weight-bearing exercises a minimum of 30 minutes for three days per week and resistance exercises two or three times a week.

What type of exercise is best

Weight-bearing exercises require your body to work against gravity: jogging, brisk walking, stair climbing, racquet sports and dancing are good examples. Swimming and biking, while excellent for cardio workouts, are not considered a weight-bearing exercise.

However, in some stages of osteoporosis, water exercises may be used in rehabilitation. Resistance exercise (strength training) strengthens muscles and bones throughout the entire body. These exercises involve using your muscular strength to work against the weight of another object, such as using free weights, weight machines or resistance bands.

For some resistance exercises, you can even use your own body weight as the exercise load. Balance, coordination and flexibility exercises for fall prevention include standing on one leg, sitting and exercising on an exercise ball, tandem walking, stretching, dancing, tai chi and yoga.

Nutritionally speaking

According to the National Institutes of Health, people with vitamin D deficiencies absorb less than 10 percent of available calcium they ingest. Three of the leading contenders for calcium are plain low-fat yogurt, fruit yogurt and whole, low-fat or fat-free milk.

Our body’s absorb vitamin D through sunlight and vitamin D-fortified foods, such as milk. Here are a few added suggestions to fortify your 206 bones:

• Treat yourself to 15 minutes a day without any sunscreen. That is what your body needs to produce vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin.”

• Almonds are packed with bone health. A handful counts for about 70mg of calcium.

• Studies indicate that a cup of tea a day increases bone density.

• Eat brown instead of white. Brown rice has three times the calcium than white rice.

• Try having chopped figs over yogurt for a snack; it will give you almost half the needed calcium requirements for the day.

If you are 50 or older and have not been exercising, check with your physician before beginning ANY exercise program. Sally Anderson, a trainer, is happy to hear from readers but cannot respond to individual queries. Write her in care of LifeTimes, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

Hip extensions

Strengthens hips and thighs. Place one hand on a countertop. Keeping hips facing forward, slowly lift one leg out to the side, knee facing forward, as Royce demonstrates at left. Hold a few seconds, then slowly return leg to ankle, never touching the floor. Repeat 8 to 10 times. Priscilla shows the next movement: Lift leg diagonally to the back. Hold, then slowly release leg; repeat 8 to 10 times. Tips: Contract abdominals and do not lock knees. You may add ankle weights later.

Tandem walk

Develops balance. (Not shown.) Stand with fingers lightly supported on a counter or a wall. Looking straight ahead, walk, placing one foot directly in front of other foot, making sure front heel is close to back toes; aim for 15 to 20 steps. Then, if you do not have foot or ankle issues, try walking on your heels, with the balls of your feet lifted up. Tip: Walk tall, do not lean forward.

Wringing the towel

Strengthens the wrist. Hold a towel in both hands, keeping elbows close to your sides. Wring the towel out as hard as you can, extending one wrist and flexing the other wrist at the same time; do 10 to 15 repetitions. Tip: Use your wrist muscles, not your fingers.

Back extension

Strengthens shoulders, back, neck, spine and hips. Begin by lying on your stomach on a mat with arms in front of you, palms facing downward. Keeping legs on mat, lift head, arms and chest off the mat. Bend elbows, bringing them in toward your shoulders, feeling a slight pinch of the shoulder blades. Hold for several seconds, then extend arms to original position and repeat several times. Tip: Do not hold your breath.

Wringing the towel

Strengthens the wrist. Hold a towel in both hands, keeping elbows close to your sides. Wring the towel out as hard as you can, extending one wrist and flexing the other wrist at the same time; do 10-15 repetitions. Tip: Use your wrist muscles, not your fingers.

Building a network for any response or endeavor is not as difficult as many believe it to be. If a business owner straightforward about it, ruling class can see they already have the start of a profit network, but may not be taking advantage of the possibilities. One common thread of vertex marketing efforts involves the use of material is called a warm market�that is family and friends to whom most people turn to first with every new offshoot or repression they come up with. Continue Reading…