Ride For Hope

Chat 1 Comment December 7, 2018 nutritionadsa

Our dietetic students are often involved in awesome projects and we love the Ride For Hope campaign that Bernadine Blom, a third-year student studying Dietetics at the North-West University (NWU), started with her father. Here is her story:

 

 

Bernadine Blom

I’m a third-year student studying Dietetics at the North-West University (NWU). My passion for dietetics started when I learned about the impact that food can have on your health. Cliché I know, but once you read my story you will understand.

When I was 9 years of age my mom became ill and was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was something we didn’t know much about, just that my mom had to get treatment every 4 hours at home. This treatment is known as peritoneal dialysis. The peritoneal treatment wasn’t very successful; my mom then switched to haemodialysis, meaning 4 hours of treatment 3 times a week. During this time my mom was referred to a dietitian who helped her make important lifestyle changes. She changed her diet to reduce her potassium and phosphate levels. I kept asking why she should prepare food differently or why she isn’t allowed to eat her favourite fruit anymore? Then I started to understand the effect of different food choices on my mother’s health. It soon became part of my life but never really affected my food choices. I was still allowed to eat things my mother was not allowed to have like chocolate (Sorry Mom!)

My mother was in and out of hospitals during my school years. In 2012 we received the good news that my father  was a match and could donate a kidney to my mom! The transplant was performed on the 31st November 2012. Life was back to normal for almost a year. Then in October 2013 she got an infection and became very ill again. The kidney was damaged and my mother returned to dialysis in July 2014.

This was my Grade 11 year, the year of many decisions with matric approaching rapidly. With no idea of what exactly I wanted to study after finishing school, I had developed a passion for baking, food and helping people. I attended NWU’s open day and discovered what dietetics really entails and decided to study dietetics – the perfect way to help people while doing something I love.

I went off to university and for the next two years both my brother and I were out of the house studying at NWU. My mom’s health was like a roller coaster. She continued the haemodialysis, which was essential for her survival.

2018 became a year that really shaped me. I was chairperson of the Academic Student council for Dietetic and Occupational Hygiene students. I was also on the ADSA North West Branch as the student representative. I really learned a lot! I waited 3 years once I started studying to learn more about nutrition therapy in renal patients. 2018 was also the year I could finally ask all the questions I had as to why certain things can and can’t be eaten by someone with kidney disease! I now know the importance of healthy dietary intake in renal patients, as we are training to become nutrition experts, but with my history I also better understand the emotional part of making drastic changes to one’s diet.

My passion for organ donation grew strongly during the years of personally seeing the effect of it on a person’s life as well as the family. My mother is currently still on dialysis as the waiting list for a kidney transplant is between 10 – 12 years.

Ride for Hope

My father and I are currently busy with a campaign called Ride for Hope. It started one night when he told me about his idea and I immediately say YES! So, the scheming and planning started. Our aim is to get as many new registered organ donors as possible. Our wish is also to give hope to those who are waiting for a transplant.

There are currently 4 300 adults and children in South Africa waiting for an organ or cornea transplant. Less than 600 will get the gift of life this year, because of the shockingly low rate of organ donors in South Africa. It’s estimated that only 0.2% of all South Africans are registered organ donors. We discovered that lots of people have little to no knowledge about organ donation as they have never been affected by it. For others the fact of organ donations is just too scary. With this journey we hope to inspire and motivate people to take action! To register is really as easy as 1, 2, 3. It only takes 5 minutes of your life and has no hidden costs or any medical tests required. All that is required is your commitment to do 1 final act of kindness after you have passed away.

My father, Braam Blom, is currently travelling from Pretoria to Cape Town on the bicycle with the aim to create awareness around organ donation. The journey started on the 17th of November 2018 from Netcare Jacaranda Hospital in Pretoria. Our goal is to reach the 10 000 mark in new registered organ donors during the 1700km of cycling. Reaching 10 000 may sound like a lot and not possible for 2 people to achieve but with the help of other people it can be possible. Anyone can be a possible registered organ donor including YOU!

We have a few more days left on the journey, so please visit our Facebook page @ Ride for Hope for more information. Ride for Hope is endorsed by the Organ Donor Foundation & has a dedicated link to register. https://www.odf.org.za/ride-for-hope.

We currently have 305 new organ donors successfully registered.

 

Meet the ADSA President!

Chat 4 Comments August 23, 2018 nutritionadsa

We sat down and had a chat with the new ADSA President, Christine Taljaard-Krugell, who has taken over from Nicole Lubasinski, following her relocation to the UK.

Christine brings along a wealth of experience as the general manager of the African Nutrition Leadership Programme. “With ADSA turning 30 this year, I am truly humbled for the opportunity to contribute in my new role as ADSA president.”

 Why did you become a Registered Dietitian?

My sister had DM type 1 from a young age. The way that her disease impacted not only her own life but also our family’s as a whole made me realize just how big the potential impact of optimal nutrition can be. I have the utmost respect and deepest empathy for any family who is faced with chronic illness. It was only later in life, in my fourth year that I was exposed to what I now enjoy the most, public health nutrition related research.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do? What are the most satisfying moments?

Being a researcher I love the diversity that my work brings. Research is challenging in the sense that you have to invest for a very long period of time before you get the reward. It is when one’s research is usable, when it reaches the target audience that I think the satisfying moments emerge. I am also very privileged to have been involved in the African Nutrition Leadership Programme for the past 6 years. Investing in individuals in the field of nutrition, and to experience the change within such a person, must be some of the most satisfying things one can do.

What has been your career highlight?

In 2016 I was chosen by the International Agency for Research in Cancer to partake in their “50 for 50” initiative to be held in Lyon, France. The initiative entailed that 50 young leaders from around the world were selected to participate in their initiative called “Empowering future cancer research leaders”. It was an absolute wonderful opportunity where I have met great mentors and made new colleagues and friends.

What are the major nutrition-related health issues that South Africa is faced with?

South Africa remains to be utterly complex. South African households are faced with significant challenges that include high levels of poverty, unequal distribution of income and wealth and inequality in health outcomes. In addition to the above malnutrition, including both under and over nutrition prevail. While one fifth of households do not have enough money to buy food for the household till the end of the month, two thirds of women are either overweight or obese. Dietitians needs to provide a health service to the population that is evidence informed as well as attainable.

What are the positive side to the relative dark picture painted above?

Malnutrition is preventable. In the words of Lawrence Haddad, the executive director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN):

“Despite the challenges, malnutrition is not inevitable, where leaders in government, civil society, academia and business are committed… anything is possible.”

How do you see a nutrition champion?

The nutrition champions in my life are men and women who have an inextinguishable passion for their work. They invest unlimited time, resources and knowledge into young (nutrition/dietetic) professionals. They have the highest work ethic that they choose to stand by.

How do you cope after a day of nutrition disaster and bad eating choices?

I think a good routine (even if a bit boring) helps in preventing a day of total nutrition disaster. However, if that day happens, I hope it was in good company, under the blue sky and enjoyed with friends and family.

What is your favourite dish and your favourite treat food?

I have to stick to my Dad’s braaivleis and for my favourite treat food it has to be Clover Vanilla Milk.

 

More about Christine

Christine Taljaard-Krugell is a registered dietitian and currently a part-time researcher and lecturere at the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus.  She holds a PhD in Nutrition and a MSc in Dietetics with her research area being Public Health Nutrition.  She is the general manager of the African Nutrition Leadership Programme (www.africanutritionleadership.org) and the Editor and founding member of The Leader – the official newsletter of the African Nutrition Leadership Programme which is published quarterly.

Her research career started with clinical trials investigating the effect of a multi-micronutrient fortified beverage on cognitive growth in primary school children.  Since 2014 she has been actively involved in the South African Breast Cancer study.  This population based case-control study of breast cancer aims to clarify the role of body size, diet and physical activity in the African female population. In 2016 she was invited as part of the prestigious “50 for 50 initiative” where the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identified 50 future cancer research leaders from low-and middle income countries to attend a specialised workshop entitled Fostering Leadership in Cancer Research. 

Christine has an interest in evidence informed decision making and was the project lead for the South African leg of the EVIDENT (Evidence informed decision making for nutrition and health) project.  This multi-country project included other African countries such as Benin, Morocco, Ghana and Ethiopie.  The aim of the South African study was to document decision-making processes for public health nutrition programming.

BREASTFEEDING, NOT JUST BEST FOR BABY, BUT BEST FOR SA!

Chat Leave a comment August 1, 2018 nutritionadsa

Today is the start of the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from the 1^st to the 7^th of August. This year the emphasis is on breastfeeding as ‘the foundation of life’ and highlighting the advantages of improving breastfeeding for communities and countries. The campaign, co-ordinated by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), identifies breastfeeding as an essential strategy to combat the impacts of inequality, crises and poverty – all major issues across South Africa. Yet, we remain one of the countries with the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world.

In an attempt to turn this around, South African organisations, which promote and support breastfeeding, such as ADSA (Association for Dietetics in South Africa) are driving conversations around the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week themes. On the individual level, breastfeeding significantly boosts the health of children and mothers, while saving family income. Amplified at the country level, breastfeeding contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty, reduces the burden of health costs by preventing all forms of malnutrition and ensures food security for babies and young children in times of crisis. It is a universal solution that gives everyone a fair start in life and lays the foundation for good health and survival of children and women.

Optimal infant nutrition is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and continued breastfeeding until the age of two years and beyond, whilst complementary foods are introduced. One of the key Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations is that by 2025 at least 50% of infants aged 0-6 months in every country will be exclusively breastfed. At just 32% currently, South Africa has a long way to go in the next seven years if we are to reach this goal.

ADSA spokesperson, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, lecturer and researcher at Stellenbosch University, Associate Professor Lisanne du Plessis, explains that breastmilk and breastfeeding are referred to as ‘the economic choice’ because mothers produce custom-made breastmilk for their children at no additional expense to their households. She points out that the high costs of not breastfeeding include the impacts on nutrition, healthcare and the environment. It is essential that the barriers to mothers providing their children with the most natural, nutritious and health-boosting free option need to be overcome. Lisanne points out that: “On average, 20 kilogrammes of formula is needed to feed a baby for the first six months of life. At an average price of R190 per kilogramme, the formula bill adds up to almost R4000. Add to this, the cost of bottles and teats as well as fuel to boil water and clean utensils, and families face a staggering expense of thousands of rands to feed their babies.”

There are also substantial environmental costs associated with not breastfeeding. According to the widely cited Lancet Breastfeeding series, breastmilk is ‘a natural, renewable food that is environmentally safe’. It is produced and delivered to the consumer without fuel inputs, pollution, packaging or waste. By contrast, breastmilk substitutes have a substantial ecological footprint, which includes agricultural production, manufacturing, packaging and transport just to get to the consumer. In the home, it requires water, fuel and cleaning agents for daily preparation and use. A host of pollutants and significant waste are generated along the way. It is estimated that more than 4000 litres of water is needed to produce just 1 kilogramme of infant formula. “It is clear that from the household to the country level, breastfeeding can significantly reduce costs and contribute to breaking the poverty cycle,” Lisanne concludes.

A nation of breastfeeding mothers can also reduce the burden of their country’s healthcare costs. Registered Dietitian and ADSA spokesperson, Chantell Witten, who is also a researcher at North West University says, “It is well-proven that breastfeeding reduces disease risk. Breastfeeding substantially protects infants against death, diarrhoea, chest and ear infections. Breastfeeding also helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms. It protects against overweight, obesity, diabetes as well as the various health consequences of under-nutrition. For mothers, breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and of high blood pressure.” As pointed out by Chantell, infants who are not exclusively breastfed; who are given food earlier than age six months and who are not following a varied diet, are at higher risk of malnutrition and death. Globally, if higher rates of optimal breastfeeding were practiced, 823 000 annual deaths in children under the age of five years and 20 000 deaths from breast cancer could be averted.

The third key message of the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week is concerned with the role of breastfeeding in a world of upheaval. Breastfeeding has the power to ensure food security for infants and children in times of crisis. This is highly relevant to disadvantaged communities in South Africa, which bear the brunt of disasters such as fires and floods, but are also increasingly thrown into crisis due to protest action.

University of the Western Cape lecturer, Registered Dietitian and ADSA spokesperson, Catherine Pereira points out that breastfeeding provides complete food security for babies up to six months of age. “Furthermore, from 6-24 months, breastmilk still provides a substantial contribution to a child’s nutrient and energy needs. Breastmilk is accessible, sufficient, safe and nutritious and it is therefore quite clear that breastfeeding can contribute directly to ensuring food security during emergencies.”

Catherine emphasizes the need for us to think carefully about the ways in which we respond and give help as a crisis unfolds: “When it comes to making sure that babies are fed in a crisis, for many people, the first thought is to donate infant formula. Infant formula is expensive, and so there’s an assumption that it is something valuable that could help. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Rather, providing support to mothers to continue breastfeeding, especially during a crisis, is a much more important priority. The WHO and UNICEF have issued a very recent brief on breastfeeding during a crisis which includes suggestions consistent with what has been mentioned by Catherine.

In addition to this, many women struggle to continue breastfeeding when they return to work and research shows that breastfeeding rates go down when women go back to work. It is therefore important for South Africa to focus on improving comprehensive maternity protection for women, which is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as: health protection in the workplace, a minimum period of maternity leave, some form of cash and medical benefits while on maternity leave, job security, non-discrimination and support to breastfeed or express milk upon return to work.

In South Africa, we have a far way to go to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. Current law indicates that women should receive four months of maternity leave, however paid leave is not mandatory (although government departments and some companies do provide paid leave). It would be very important for all stakeholders to advocate for longer maternity leave (up to 6 months) and that paid leave is mandatory. Non-standard employees (employees placed by temporary employment services, employees on temporary or fixed-term contracts and part-time employees such as domestic workers or farm workers) are a particularly vulnerable group. This group of women often have to claim pay for their maternity leave from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and this can be an extremely time-consuming and complex process for some women.

Once back at work, women should be informed that they are entitled to two 30-minute breaks during their work day to breastfeed or express breastmilk until their infant is six months old. This enables mothers to return to work and earn an income whilst still providing their infants breastmilk, the best feeding option. All stakeholders should work together in an attempt to improve the support of women to be able to continue breastfeeding when they return to work.

It’s clear that South Africa has much to gain in turning around its low rates of exclusive breastfeeding and actively striving to reach the 2025 target of 50% of mothers’ breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life. Developing a national culture that supports the truism that ‘breast is best’ can have far-reaching positive impacts for our children, mothers and country.

For information on World Breastfeeding Week 2018 visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org