Tanzania has renewed calls for improved nutrition education and better access to safe, affordable and nutritious food as part of efforts to protect public health, improve children's development and reduce the growing burden of nutrition-related diseases.
The call was made by Dr Vida Mmbaga, Assistant Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, during the National Nutrition Day celebrations held in Dodoma on October 29, 2026.
The event was officiated by the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr Grace Magembe.
Dr Mmbaga said improving nutrition requires not only educating citizens about healthy eating but also creating an environment where families can access and afford nutritious foods for their daily needs.
She explained that Tanzania continues to face major nutrition challenges, including stunting among children, anaemia and increasing cases of overweight and obesity, particularly among women and children.
According to Dr Mmbaga, approximately 30 per cent of children under five suffer from stunting, while anaemia affects 59 per cent of children in the same age group and 42 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49.
These challenges highlight the importance of ensuring that children receive adequate nutrition during their early years, when proper feeding is essential for physical growth, brain development and future learning abilities.
Dr Mmbaga also warned that overweight and obesity can expose people to serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and certain types of cancer.
She called for stronger preventive measures to help citizens adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce the risk of diseases associated with poor dietary habits.
The Ministry of Health official further emphasised that good nutrition plays a critical role in children's education and development. Children who receive adequate and balanced meals have better opportunities to grow, develop their thinking abilities and participate effectively in school activities.
She added that proper nutrition during adolescence is equally important in building a strong foundation for good health in adulthood.
However, the country still faces challenges in ensuring that families provide balanced meals, particularly to young children.
Dr Mmbaga revealed that only 18 per cent of children aged six to 23 months receive meals containing an adequate variety of food groups.
She also noted that 97 per cent of Tanzanians do not consume the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables, underscoring the need to promote healthier food choices among households.
To address the situation, Dr Mmbaga urged citizens to pay greater attention to their daily diets by eating a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, while ensuring that food is prepared and handled safely.
She stressed that the responsibility for improving nutrition extends beyond the health sector, calling on government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to work together to make healthy food more accessible to the public.
For ordinary citizens, improved nutrition can help prevent avoidable illnesses, support children's learning, improve family well-being and reduce the financial burden associated with treating nutrition-related diseases.
Dr Mmbaga said creating an environment that supports healthy eating, alongside sustained public education, would be essential to improving the country's nutrition status.
Strengthening nutrition is therefore an investment in Tanzania's future, helping build a healthier population capable of learning, working productively and contributing to national development.