In the 2021 Global Nutrition report, data from Nigeria shows how much progress the country has made towards achieving the global nutrition targets. Of the 13 targets, Nigeria has made ‘some progress’ in achieving four targets while the country is reported to be ‘off-course’ on seven targets.

It is estimated that 15.7% of adult women (aged 18 years and above) and 5.9% of adult men are obese. However, the prevalence of obesity in Nigeria is lower than the regional average of 20.7% for women and 9.2% for men.

Enter organic weight gain for babies

Globally, majority of overweight children are from high income countries. But some low income countries are starting to have problems with overweight. Many obese children become obese adults especially if one or both parents are obese.

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Recently, the so-called “organic” weight-gain pap for babies sparked outrage and deep concern among Nigerians, urging the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to probe the food product. The product, which promises miraculous weight gain for infants, has been subjected to strong scrutiny by medical practitioners who have found them harmful to babies’ nutrition and growth.

The social media blogosphere is rife with different e-vendors springing up and offering all kinds of services including ‘organic’ skin lightening options for babies, weight gain for babies and many others

To many of these organic weight gain makers, it does not matter the ingredients of the food or pap, they already have an army of prospective customers who are easily swayed by pictures and visuals of before and after moments of alleged patrons of their products.

But investigations revealed that while some of these products give immediate solution to the weight problems their clients may have, they sometimes do more harm than good in the long run.

These sellers post babies weight transformation on their social media handles including Instagram and TikTok, prompting their fans to enquire about the products they applied and thus pushing many of such fans into the hands of these online organic weight gain makers. The experience has left many of them with regrets.

The term “organic” refers to how certain foods are produced. Recent epidemiological studies have explored the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity. Nutritionally, organic induced meals significantly impact on one’s growth and health.

Pap, also widely known as akamu, is a traditional West African food made from fermented grains. It is a staple in many cultures, valued for its versatility and nutritional benefits. It is similar to porridge and can be made from various grains like corn, millet, or sorghum.

Pap is particularly beneficial for nursing mothers and babies. It is believed to aid in breast milk production and provides a digestible food source for infants.

While it is beneficial, mothers are usually advised to always consult with their pediatricians before introducing new foods to their baby’s diet, especially when adding any other supplements, to which some children may be allergic. The primary concern is the overall nutritional balance of a baby’s diet.

How the product which is marketed as an “organic” solution to help babies gain weight bypassed NAFDAC’s certification remains a mystery to many Nigerians who have called for prompt action.

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Just like there are problems and diseases associated with under-nutrition or the typical malnutrition, there are problems and diseases the over-nourished/overweight children also have to deal with as the paediatric endocrinologists have unravelled. These overweight and obese children are prone to hypertension and diabetes even from childhood.

Mrs. Shakirah queried: “Ever wondered why there is an obsession with chubby babies? There is this issue of unnecessary worry by mothers because their babies are “not gaining weight” “looking lean” “skinny” “not chubby” “not fat enough” “always dropping  (weight)” “not looking like other children” or “cannot see the food he is eating on him or her”.

“A petite cute baby is automatically under-fed to everyone. Different kinds of advice start coming in. Hence, weight gain pap for babies.”

For and against babies’ weight gain

Obsession with weight gain in babies appears to be gaining more traction. For some, it is more like “a trial will convince you”. Observation by The Nation on one of the vendor’s TikTok page revealed that some mothers in the comment section were drooling for babies’ weight gain, while others gave a sharp contrast.

Childhood overweight and obesity has been associated with serious health problems and risk of premature illness and death later in life. Uncontrolled child overweight and obesity can lead to all the health complications that can be noted in an adult.

Genius Hawalh lamented: “You see these new generation mothers who should have been in such or something? They are cancerous to now and the future. They misplace priorities effortlessly. And to the poison sellers, may VDM reason your matter, individually.”

For Onigbajo Toyin, it is a sad development.

She said: “This is so sad! There are more parents like this out there. Homemade food is meant for healthy growth, not questionable weight gain like this!

“This knocks down the work some of us are doing to promote homemade food for children.”

Chinedu Mpamugo: “Having an extremely big infant is not a ‘flex’ as some think. What you need is a healthy child, not an obese one.

“Infant obesity poses a short and long-term problem, with risk of chronic diseases later in life. It’s worse when you have to give special products for weight gain.”

Amaka Ohiri argued: “They don’t know the future health risks they are exposing their babies to. Why would a “so-called” mother feed a four-month-old with a weight gain pap? What happened to her breakfast milk? If she’s not lactating, what happened to age appropriate breast milk substitutes (baby milk)?”

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Ngene Akpa said: “The drugs they use in fattening pigs is what they put in the pap and some mothers administer it directly to their kids. I always say men should get actively involved to monitor what is happening.”

Mr. Ogochukwu lamented: “This is the most use*less era. Our parents of old used more organic nutritional products to grow us. The Gen z girls of now want it quick, using lots of processed chemical mixtures to feed their kids.”

Mr. Ejikem advised: “Men, please be involved in whatever your wives are doing to your kids. Only mentally deranged couples will buy weight gain pap for babies.

“Genetically, two slim people shouldn’t be having Orobo. These are the same people that bleach children.”

In response to the concerns raised about the product marketed as Pems Organic Weight Gain Pap, the seller issued a statement on her TikTok account, @purely_organicc.

In the statement, she maintained that her product is made from entirely natural ingredients, which she said are properly sorted, washed and dehydrated before production.

The statement reads in part: “I do not use any form of artificial content in my product; they are natural ingredients.

“Here are the ingredients I use: oats, sorghum, millet, tiger nut, cashew nut, soya beans, dried plantains, millet, date, crayfish and groundnut, all of which are properly sorted, washed, and dehydrated before production.”

She further defended the safety of her product, claiming that it had been used without any adverse reactions by her own children and numerous customers.

“This is a product I’ve used for my son and my niece and none of which they have ever reacted to, neither have any of my customers.

“I can share with you some contacts of my customers for confirmation,” she wrote.

“This is a product I send within and outside Nigeria, and no child has ever reacted to it!” she insisted.

The seller clarified that her business is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and is in the process of obtaining NAFDAC approval.

She wrote: “And for the part of NAFDAC, it is a process I’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks, and I’m trying to get all of the necessary documentation.

“Also, my business is registered under CAC, and I can send you some samples of my product for testing and can be taken to any lab for further inspection.”

Setting babies up for future health challenges?

The infancy stage of babies are crucial to their growth. Infancy is a time when the growth, coordination, and mental development occur. Newborns build upon their rooting, sucking and grasping reflexes. Infants begin to tug and pull on their hands, clench them into fists, and bring them to their mouths, all while learning to repeat their body movements.

Experts argue that responsive parenting behavior is very useful and important in averting detrimental feeding practices and child’s obesity. Poor eating and feeding practices start from the earliest days of a child’s life.

They underlined that some mothers may lack knowledge about balanced diets and healthy eating habits, leading to unintentional promotion of unhealthy weight gain.

As children begin transitioning to soft or solid foods around the six-month mark, too many are introduced to the wrong kind of diet.

A certified nutritionist, Odukoya Fiyinfoluwa, posited: “Overfeeding your baby or giving them calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods to achieve that “chubby look” can set them up for future health challenges: obesity, diabetes, and even hypertension.

Health advocate and paediatrician, Ayobola Adebowale, noted that a baby’s overweight is a foundation for childhood obesity

He said: “There is a healthy weight pattern for babies — Double birth weight around five months; triple birth weight at first year!

“Your baby, after six months, should be eating good and balanced diet. You don’t necessarily have to give them energy dense foods because you want them to be chubby.

“Chubby doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. Your focus should be raising a healthy child with healthy weight. You say it is baby fat, I say it is a foundation for childhood obesity because you just wouldn’t stop feeding them.”

Doctor Egemba Chinonso, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, urged regulatory agencies to take action on these products which are detrimental to the health of babies and infants.

Checks by The Nation revealed that the agency in its extant law noted: “No NAFDAC regulated product shall be manufactured, imported, advertised, sold, distributed or used in Nigeria unless it has been registered in accordance with the provision of Food, Drugs and Related Products Registration, Act Cap F33 LFN 2004.

“A pre-packaged and/or labelled food product shall not be manufactured in Nigeria unless the facility has been inspected and Certificate of Listing is issued to the product by NAFDAC.”

Chinonso said: “Dear @NafdacAgency, I’m guessing this is within your purview. No one knows what is inside that pap. Also, this is setting these babies for damage.”

Three researchers, Drs Oluwafunmilayo Adeniyi, Gabriel Fagbenro and Foluke Olatona, in a 2020 report, noted that the rate of childhood obesity in some developing countries was as high as that of developed countries.

They added that children in low and middle-income countries were exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, energy-dense, and micronutrient-poor foods, which were lower in cost but also lower in nutrient quality.

For the medics, these dietary patterns, in conjunction with lower levels of physical activity, result in a sharp increase in obesity in children.