Boot Camp Against Unhealthy Diets: Korogocho Kids Learn the Power of Food Choices

By Melisa Mong'ina - Unhealthy diets are a major contributor to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension. 

Consuming foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, often found in processed snacks, fast food, and sugary drinks, increases the risk of these conditions. 

Young children are at the risk of acquiring NCDs such as obesity due to the intake of unhealthy foods bought by their parents or guardians. 

Due to lack of consumer awareness, guardians/parents often buy these ultra processed products for their children without knowing if they are high in sugar, salt or fat. Most times it is hard for them to understand the nutritional contents found in the products.

In the heart of Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s most vibrant informal settlements, a wave of health awareness is sweeping through a group of young minds. 

 This holiday, instead of the usual playtime, children aged 9 to 15 gathered at a boot camp, with their notebooks and pens on their hands eager to learn not about mathematics or grammar but about unhealthy diets and the importance of Front Of Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL).

In response to the growing concern, the  Nairobi NCD Advocacy Chapter organized the camp to teach children about Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), how to prevent them, and the importance of eating healthy.

During the session one of the trainers, Patricia Aloo Ochieng, Health Advocate and Radio Presenter at Superstar Radio, spoke to the kids about making smart food choices, introducing them to Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL), a simple sign on food packages that shows if a product is healthy or not.

Patricia Aloo Ochieng, Health Advocate and Radio Presenter at Superstar Radio 

“Kenya is about to adopt the NPM and FOPWL at a very critical time where unhealthy foods are everywhere and there's a rapid rise of NCDs among the young people and children,” Aloo emphasized.

Adding “FOPWL will enable you to make better and well informed health choices. Health is development and Development is Health. Let's lead a healthy nation where people are aware of what they eat.”

Aloo emphasized on the need for making healthy  diets the norm in their homes if they want to stop the alarming rise of NCDs like diabetes and heart problems in children and teenagers.

“We are giving you the right information so you can start eating healthy and also help your parents make better meals at home. We can avoid getting diabetes by watching what we eat; avoid sugary foods and drinks, eat more vegetables and fruits and also drink a lot of water,” she explained.

She also encouraged the children to eat traditional foods like flour from the poshomil (freshly ground maize flour), mboga za kienyeji (local vegetables), and omena. These foods are healthy, full of nutrients, and good for the whole family.

"Normalize eating unga from the poshomil, mboga za kienyeji and omena. These foods are nutritious and good for your health," she emphasized.

Aloo urged the children to always appreciate their parents whenever they cook healthy traditional meals at home. This will motivate them to continue to cook such healthy meals and avoid buying processed foods that may cause NCDs.

"Always appreciate your parents when they cook these traditional meals at home. That way, they’ll keep doing it,” she said.

She concluded by urging the adolescent children to keep away from substance abuse such as tobacco and alcohol since they part of the NCDs contributors. 

“Most NCDs are caused by our lifestyle choices. Choose to be physically active, eat healthy foods, avoid use of tobacco, avoid abusing alcohol and remember no amount of alcohol is safe,” urged Aloo.

The session was impactful and many children went home talking excitedly about what they would now ask their parents to buy or avoid at the market. 

For some, it was the first time they realized that what they eat today could shape their health tomorrow. They were able to learn the importance of checking the nutrients of concern first before purchasing a product.