Professor Wasiu Afolabi, a distinguished academic in Community Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has stated that maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy may be causally linked to abnormal growth patterns in children.
In his expert opinion, Professor Afolabi, who previously served as President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, emphasized that while zinc deficiency may affect individuals across all age demographics, women and children constitute particularly vulnerable groups. This heightened susceptibility is attributed to the biological demands associated with female reproductive functions and the developmental nature of childhood.
In an interview granted to PUNCH Healthwise, Professor Afolabi asserted that zinc is an essential micronutrient necessary for the healthy growth and development of children. He further explained that inadequate zinc levels during pregnancy could adversely impact fetal development, potentially resulting in intrauterine growth abnormalities and delayed maturation of various vital organs.#newsafro_
