Children with low intelligent quotient -Due to Vitamin A and iron deficiency(6/6/09)

A Deputy Chief Nutritional Officer of Ministry of Health, Mrs Kate Quarshie, has stated that studies conducted on vitamin A and iron deficiency among children, show that seven out of every 10 children in Ghana suffer from vitamin A and iron deficiency.
She said as a result, a number of children of school-going age have low intelligent quotient (IQ).
The IQ measures the degree of the capacity of a person to think and understand issues. Vitamin A and iron are nutrients which are useful in enhancing the IQ of people, particularly children.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Consumers Association of Ghana (CAG) in Accra on Tuesday, Mrs Quarshie, therefore, underlined the need for Ghanaians to use fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil for cooking, since these contain essential nutrients for healthy growth.
She noted that the fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil contained selected nutrients such as iron, vitamins A and B, and folic acid, which help to reduce the deficiency in food nutrients.
She said children who suffered stunted growth lacked the vitamins and minerals needed for growth and development, adding that “It is, therefore, beneficial to use the fortified wheat flour and vegetable oil, because the increase in vitamin A intake makes the children less likely to suffer from infections such as diahorrea and measles”.
Mrs Quarshie explained that food fortified with these nutrients does not change in taste, colour, flavour and cooking qualities, and advised Ghanaians to eat fruits, vegetables and a variety of other foods daily to stay healthy, adding “Remember to always use oil in moderation”.
A food scientist at the Food Research Institute, Mr Charles Torto, also advised Ghanaians, particularly food vendors against the improper handling of food which results in food-borne illnesses.
He said there was a need for food vendors to keep food at safe temperatures before their consumption.
The Head of the CAG, Mr Ferdinard Tay, called for a law to protect the rights of consumers in the country.
The workshop was attended by participants from various women groups such as the women fellowships of churches, Fire Service Ladies Association (FISLA), traders and the women’s wing of the Physically Challenged Association.