Nutritionists have cautioned parents against overfeeding their children with processed foods, warning that an overreliance on packaged snacks and sugary meals could increase the risk of nutrition-related health problems.
Experts explained that many processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats while being low in essential nutrients necessary for proper growth and brain development. Regular consumption, they said, could predispose children to obesity, weakened immunity, and early-onset non-communicable diseases.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently raised concerns over the rapid transformation of children’s diets worldwide. In its December 2025 review on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the UN agency noted that traditional meals are increasingly being replaced by diets dominated by highly processed products.
“UPFs are designed to maximize profit rather than nourish children,” the UNICEF review stated. “They combine sugars, fats, salt, and additives that stimulate brain reward pathways, encouraging overconsumption. Children and adolescents consuming diets high in UPFs face an increased risk of overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic conditions. These health consequences often persist into adulthood, leading to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.”
Speaking to PUNCH Healthwise, former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, emphasized that establishing healthy eating habits in childhood is critical to long-term well-being. He urged parents to prioritize home-cooked meals made from fresh, local ingredients over processed options.
“Children have a strong taste for processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, biscuits, pastries, snacks, and pasta. While occasional consumption is acceptable, moderation is key,” Afolabi said. “Substituting processed foods with nutrient-rich options, such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, helps build healthy food habits and prevents obesity, which is a risk factor for future diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular problems.”
Corroborating this view, Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Beatrice Ogunba, urged Nigerians to favor homemade meals. “Most processed foods lose nutrients during production. To promote health, we should reduce sugar, salt, and fatty foods,” she said.
Dr. Temilade Babatunde, a nutrition expert, warned that excessive intake of processed foods—often described as a pro-inflammatory diet—can trigger inflammation in the body, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart failure. Pro-inflammatory foods include processed meats like sausages and bacon, refined sugars, fried foods, and items high in saturated and trans fats.
“A pro-inflammatory diet damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of heart failure. Parents must limit children’s intake of these foods and focus on balanced, nutritious meals,” she advised.

A Bauchi-based veterinarian, Dr. Shehu Zailani, has warned that the cold, dry conditions of the harmattan season pose serious threats to livestock health.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Dr. Zailani said the weather increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cold stress, and mortality, particularly among poultry and young animals.
He explained that dropping temperatures and dry, dusty winds disrupt conventional livestock management. Newly hatched chicks, for example, require adequate warmth during the first two weeks of life, a stage critical for proper growth and survival. Fluctuating cold temperatures make this challenging, exposing chicks to respiratory infections such as coughing, nasal discharge, and laboured breathing.
Dr. Zailani noted that small ruminants, including goats and sheep, are also affected. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold weakens their immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections like Peste des Petits Ruminants, which can cause sneezing, nasal discharge, weakness, and poor overall health.
He attributed the rise in disease cases to dry, dusty winds that reduce body moisture and create favourable conditions for infections.
The veterinarian advised livestock owners to provide warm, well-ventilated shelters and ensure animals have clean drinking water. He stressed the importance of routine vaccination during extreme weather and urged farmers to seek prompt veterinary attention for sick animals.
“Many cold-related livestock diseases are highly contagious and can lead to significant economic losses if not addressed early,” he said.

Dr. Ayuba Mugana, an endocrinologist based in Bauchi, has warned that smokers and individuals with cholesterol-related health issues are at increased risk of developing diabetes.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Dr. Mugana explained that diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body converts food into energy. It occurs when blood sugar levels are too high, leading to complications such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, and unintended weight loss.
“Smoking disrupts insulin function and causes inflammation,” Dr. Mugana said. “Insulin is a crucial hormone that regulates blood sugar and allows cells to absorb glucose for energy. Diabetes is not caused only by heredity or high blood pressure. Smokers and people with cholesterol problems are also at significant risk.”
The endocrinologist also addressed common myths about chicken consumption among diabetic patients. He noted that while local chickens are leaner due to their natural diet and free movement, broiler chickens can contain more fat. “If you choose to eat broilers, removing the skin can help reduce fat intake,” he advised.
Dr. Mugana highlighted a rising trend of diabetes among young people, stressing the importance of healthy lifestyles. “Diabetes often takes 10 to 15 years to manifest. It usually begins with insulin resistance and does not present itself early,” he added.
He urged youths and at-risk individuals to adopt balanced diets, regular exercise, and avoid smoking to lower their chances of developing the disease.