Church Leaders Want Nutrition Taught in Schools to Fight Lifestyle Diseases
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is urging the government to introduce a new subject—nutrition—into the national education curriculum.
The church leaders believe this move could play a key role in reducing the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 9, NCCK appealed to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to not only include nutrition in the school syllabus but also to assess students on it.
“We strongly urge KICD, KNEC, and all other education stakeholders to incorporate nutrition as a subject in our school curriculum,” the council stated.
“This will go a long way in building a nutrition-conscious nation, which could significantly reduce both household and national healthcare expenses.”
NCCK added that churches across the country will support this initiative by creating awareness and hosting forums in their communities.
These educational sessions aim to teach congregants and the public how to adopt healthy eating habits and make better food choices.
At the same time, NCCK has asked the government to take strong steps in regulating the marketing of junk food—especially products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
According to the council, these unhealthy products are often aggressively marketed to children using cartoon characters and playful branding.
The church leaders believe such adverts should be completely banned, especially during “watershed hours,” the time when children are most likely to be watching television or using digital platforms.
“Children need protection from early exposure to foods that contribute to lifelong diseases. Diet is a major risk factor for NCDs,” the statement added.
The council also highlighted the growing danger of non-communicable diseases in Kenya. Citing data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), NCCK noted that NCDs are responsible for 31% of all deaths and over 50% of hospital admissions in the country.
Delegates at the NCCK meeting—who came from the counties of Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Laikipia, and Nyandarua—pointed out that it costs a patient nearly KSh 150,000 annually to manage an NCD on outpatient care alone. This, they said, is a heavy burden for many Kenyan families.
As part of its recommendations, the council has called on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to declare NCDs a national disaster.
They want the government to urgently develop strong policies and systems to prevent and manage these diseases.
NCCK also urged food manufacturers to add clear front-of-pack warning labels on factory-processed foods. This would help shoppers easily identify products that contain harmful ingredients and make healthier choices.
“With a 27% prevalence rate, NCDs need to be treated as an emergency,” NCCK emphasized. “The pressure these diseases are placing on both family and national healthcare systems is overwhelming, and immediate action is required to protect the health and future of our people.”
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