Honour the past, change the future
June marks Youth Month, a time to reflect on the bravery of the youth of 1976 and consider how we can honour their legacy by investing in the well-being of today’s youth. While education, social development, and employment rightfully take centre stage, an essential pillar often overlooked is nutrition (Schutte et al., 2021. This is particularly true for the youth living in underserved communities where rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension are rapidly increasing (UNICEF South Africa, 2023; Nwosu, 2022).
One of the key drivers of this growing health crisis in South Africa is the easy access and availability of highly processed foods and sugary drinks. For the youth, there is more to nutrition than simply what is (or isn’t) on their plate. When young people have access to the right foods, they are more likely to excel in the classroom and on the sports fields, more likely to resist infection and illness, less likely to experience mental health challenges, and ultimately grow into physically and mentally strong adults who can positively contribute to their communities.
They say, “It takes a village to raise a child”, and so too does it take this combined effort to raise a healthy one. The complementary efforts of families, schools, community leaders, and healthcare professionals are what provide the foundation of a healthy childhood.
When young people are empowered to take control of their health, they often inspire change around them. By giving youth practical tools to understand how food affects their bodies, communities can cultivate future leaders in wellness and nutrition advocacy.
Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) has been instrumental in promoting nutrition literacy and empowering underserved communities. Through its ripple effect within communities, EBSA principles filter through to children and youth as families and communities shift their eating patterns.
The youth of 1976 changed the course of history. Today’s youth are our next leaders, innovators, and change-makers. If we want to honour the past and build a stronger, more resilient South Africa, we must start by feeding the future, one real meal at a time.
References:
Eat Better South Africa (2023). Eat Better South Africa: Empowering Communities. [Online] Available at: https://www.thenoakesfoundation.org/eat-better-south-africa/
The Noakes Foundation (2024). Our Work: Nutrition for All. [Online] Available at: https://www.thenoakesfoundation.org
UNICEF South Africa (2023). Healthy behaviours help prevent diabetes.
Schutte AE, Gona PN, Delles C et al. (2021). Hypertension among South African children in disadvantaged areas: prevalence and implications. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine\
Nwosu, E., Fismen, AS., Helleve, A. et al. Trends in prevalence of overweight and obesity among South African and European adolescents: a comparative outlook. BMC Public Health 22, 2287 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14724-2
