The Center for Communication Programs Nigeria (CCPN) has called for effective health policies to reduce the use of tobacco products in Nigeria.
In a message to mark this year’s World Health Organisation (WHO) World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), the Executive Director, CCPN, Mrs. Babafunke Fagbemi said tobacco use is a threat to Nigeria’s development and a great health risk that affect other sectors and the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Speaking in Abuja, Fagbemi urged the Federal Government to immediately implement public health measures that would protect Nigerians from the dangers of smoking including the comprehensive implementation of the National Tobacco Control Bill.
The group noted that unrestricted use and access to tobacco products is a threat to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
While commending the Federal Ministry of Health under the leadership of Professor Isaac Adewole for taking the lead in the fight against non-communicable diseases in the country, Fagbemi said the Federal Government’s bold step in signing the National Tobacco Control Bill into law is a major step towards achieving a tobacco free Nigeria.
” We want to commend the Federal Ministry of Health for putting public health in the front burner and we hope that all stakeholders would rally round to support the initiatives of the Ministry in taking tobacco control forward from where we are today,” she said.
According to the WHO, tobacco kills over seven million people every year and it is a risk factor in non-communicable (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancers and chronic obstructed pulmonary disease.
” We need to take a holistic look at our public health structure and take adequate measures to prevent diseases that will hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The WHO has made it clear about the dangers of tobacco use not only to the smoker but others around. Tobacco control is a great step towards the fulfillment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
” We need to look at the dangers of second hand smoking especially to the young children, Nigeria is already battling to eradicate malaria which is one of the greatest killer diseases of young children in Nigeria, we must ensure that we do not add to the burden of Nigerians by not taking action against tobacco use,” Fagbemi said.
Fagbemi also said the core role of communication in promoting awareness and well-being should not be overlooked as she called on all stakeholders to articulate the process of creating awareness on the dangers of tobacco use especially to the youths.
The theme for this year’s WNTD is “Tobacco: A threat to Development” and it is aimed at highlighting the link between tobacco use and development. The celebration is also to highlight the fact that tobacco control can break the cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, and combat climate change.
The CCPN, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on the central role of communication in social and behavior change for development also said it is ready to continue to provide the platforms that would ensure the well-being of all Nigerians.
Tag: health
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Tobacco: Group urges government to implement public health policies
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WHO gets African DG
The Member States of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the new Director-General.Dr Ghebreyesus was nominated by the Government of Ethiopia, and will begin his five-year term on 1 July 2017.Prior to his election as WHO’s next Director-General, Ghebreyesus served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia from 2012-2016 and as Minister of Health, Ethiopia from 2005-2012.He has also served as chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; as chair of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership Board, and as co-chair of the Board of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.As Minister of Health, Ethiopia, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus led a comprehensive reform effort of the country’s health system, including the expansion of the country’s health infrastructure, creating 3500 health centres and 16 000 health posts; expanded the health workforce by 38 000 health extension workers; and initiated financing mechanisms to expand health insurance coverage. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he led the effort to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, in which 193 countries committed to the financing necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.When he was Chair of the Global Fund and of RBM, Ghebreyesus secured record funding for the two organisations and created the Global Malaria Action Plan, which expanded RBM’s reach beyond Africa to Asia and Latin America.The new DG will succeed Dr Margaret Chan, who has been WHO’s Director-General since 1 January 2007. -
Health sector professionals seek unity
Teamwork in the form of inter-professional collaboration has been described as the best way to go in the interest of patients and nation building.
This was the summation of professionals in the health sector that gathered for the one-day symposium organised by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP) in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
The event chaired by the former President, Nigeria Academy of Engineering, Engr. Vincent Maduka, was held at the Ade Ajayi Auditorium of University of Lagos, Akoka. The theme was: Health of the Nation: The imperative of inter-professional collaboration.
The former Minister of Health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, who was the keynote speaker, said there were many factors ailing the health sector, and the best professionals in the sector could do for the patient wais to work together and communicate mutually.
“That way each professional will be able to work seamlessly, professionally in their areas of competence and for the patients’ healing and everybody will be happy as a team,” said Prof Lambo.
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) represented by the former Lagos State chairman, Dr Francis Faduyile, said the association had held a summit with a similar aim in time past and it is good that all other professionals come on board of the recommendations.
Former Minister of Health and President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said the dire state of healthcare in Nigeria today, despite continuing efforts, required that all professionals should work in harmony to tackle the issues for the good of the country.
“Unfortunately, the poor state of affairs is made even worse by the animosity, distrust and consequently, disharmony among the different professionals in the health sector,” said Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi.
He added that the most vital resource in the health sector is not the annual budgetary allocation from the government, but rather, the sector’s huge human resource endowment which unfortunately is not harmonisedwhich often is to the detriment of patients. “It is only by building on its strengths which include its diversity, that the health sector can become truly primed to deliver optimal value to Nigeria”, he added.
PSN President Alhaji Ahmed Yakassai reiterated that as healthcare professionals, “we need to work together as brothers and sisters to ensure that our patients get the best quality care and treatment that can be provided. The culture of healthcare has long emphasised solo acts, we cannot continue like this if the patients’ interest is paramount. Research has shown that inter-professional collaboration improves the quality of care and patient’s satisfaction leading to a better work environment overall.
“This would require a systemic change in practice, effective and open communication, professional trust, and a system of coordinated care that allows patients to be part of the decision making in relation to their care. Adopting this team based culture of mutual respect and understanding is possible and very necessary as we all have a moral obligation towards the welfare of the patient. I believe that together we are better and we are stronger.”
Adelusi-Adeluyi said some of the brightest minds in this country were in the health sector. Yet in the last few years, the efficiency and effectiveness of public health delivery had suffered steady decline as a result of the unhealthy rivalry among various professionals in the sector. “From a historical standpoint, this situation didn’t start today. Look at the Hanzard of February 1961, it quotes the first minister of health, Dr. Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, as saying that the budget is okay but he prays that there would be funding in time and that there would be cooperation among those working in the health sector.
“This symposium has been long in waiting to be held. It doesn’t matter who has organised it. What is important is that we have a very comprehensive representation of all the members of the health sector present. It is time to disappoint those who have profited from the disharmony among healthcare professionals. Unless we all come together and negotiate with humility and with a sense of accommodation, the distractions will continue. It is my belief that this landmark occasion would not be in vain.
National Secretary PSN, Gbolagade Iyiola, Vice President Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi and a foremost pharmacist, Prof Fola Tayo all said the symposium was a replicate of the historical joint conference in Las, Nevada, USA organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) to bring together different healthcare practitioners together to enhance interprofessional collaboration.
Other healthcare professionals who presented paper during the panel discussions include: Asst Director of Nursing Services, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), Mrs. Shode Modupe Jokotola; Chairman, Jaykay Pharmacy Ltd, Jimi Agbaje; MD, Lahor Research Laboratories and Medical Centre, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor; Assistant Editor, Guardian Newspapers, Chukwuma Muanya and Group Medical Director, Reddington Hospital, Dr Olutunde Lalude who represented Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, a medical doctor and former president of the Guild of Medical Directors.
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Prioritise heart health, women told
Wowen have been advised to take care of their hearts.
Power Oil Brand Manager Amisha Chawla gave the advice during the launch of a deal between the firm and the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
She said the advice became necessary because one of three women had heart disease. She said this was so because some women cared for others’health at the detriment of theirs.
The event was opened by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El–Rufa’i and his wife, Hadiza Isma, at the second Kaduna Women Economic Empowerment Summit, Kaduna.
It had as theme: “Enabling access and participation linking women to resources”.
Chawla said women should monitor the health of their heart because heart disease is the number one killer.
“Many women realise this but still don’t act on their knowledge. Some are in denial about their risk factors, while others fall into the habit of taking better care of loved ones than of themselves. And that’s unfortunate because after a heart attack, the long-term survival prospect is as good as or even better for women than for men, as long as they get appropriate treatment.
“By understanding that heart health is just as important for women as it is for men, women can take steps to reduce their risk of cardiac disease. Being familiar with heart symptoms specific to women will allow women to identify them and get them treated earlier. Diet and exercise play a major role, hence consuming good oil that will not clog the arteries is one step forward,” she said.
She said that is why Raffles Oil LFTZ Enterprise, makers of the Nigerian Heart friendly cooking oil brand, Power Oil, have entered into deal with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development through its medical outreach project, Power Oil Health Camp Project, to provide free basic medical health check up for the indigenes not women alone.
The long-term plan is expected to cover the nation in promoting a good eating habit and, ultimately, healthy lifestyle among Nigerians.
Chawla said the Power Oil Health Camp, already in 13 locations across Nigeria, is offering free basic medical health check ups to communities in the Body Mass Index (BMI) check, Blood pressure (Bp) and free medical consultation in local governments in the state
Its medical experts were deployed by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to conduct HIV and malaria test.
Commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Hafsat Mohammed-Baba, said a healthy and empowered woman is the key to a prosperous future, adding that that is why it is important to work for the pursuance of the agenda of gender and social inclusion policy to protect women and girl child in the state with the support of the governor.
She praised the private institutions that are supporting the ministry in ensuring a healthy state, especially for women.
“We see this as an excellent partnership with the Power Oil team and we hope that it will be sustainable enough to comb through the rural areas so they also can get properly enlightened about living a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
The commissioner said she would join the team for easy mobilisation and encourage the women folks to take advantage of the opportunity of free medical health checks.
Power Oil Public Relations Manager, Omotayo Azeez, said the medical teams would be in every nook and cranny of the state.
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Family’s ‘greed’ endangers Baby Michael’s health
The health and future wellbeing of rescued Baby Michael Alvez, who suffers from face ulcer, seem to be on hold. Project Alert and rescuers have decided to refund donations raised, following alleged money-consciousness on the part of his family. GBOYEGA ALAKA reports.
A thick shadow, penulti-mate week, fell on the future of four-year-old Baby Michael Alvez, who had been undergoing treatment for a diagnosed Facial Hemangioma at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Project Alert, and his rescuers, Kate Henshaw, Aramide Kasunmu and Temitope Oluwagbemi, who had been raising money and working hard towards the baby’s treatment and rehabilitation, have decided to refund the money, over nine million Naira, to the respective donors, following what they termed “problematic” attitude from his parents.
Over a year ago, March 16, last year to be precise, Henshaw, who incidentally is brand ambassador to Project Alert, and the two other ladies, came across a very sick boy with open, degenerating face sore, running in traffic and soliciting alms around the Lagos Museum Roundabout, Onikan.
Moved with pity, they got hold of him, located his mother, who had brought him to the location to solicit alms and offered to help.
Following Michael’s admission into LUTH, Henshaw, Kasunmu and Oluwagbemi footed his bills along with his mum, Mary’s upkeep, until his ailment was confirmed and it was decided that he would require a long period of treatment and huge financial intervention. Together with Project Alert, as a host organisation, they went public for donations.
Mary was initially billed to be a signatory to the account, along with Henshaw and Effah-Chukwuma (Executive Director, Project Alert), until she was dropped, following a discovery that she had once raised money from the public, raising about N700,000 through a television (TVC) campaign, without attempting any major treatment or leaving the streets.
The account was opened and people kept donating for the boy’s treatment. The donations came notably from friends of the rescuers, Henshaw, Kasunmu and Oluwagbemi. Kasunmu, through her online GoFundme account, raised N597, 000 within three weeks of Michael’s admission, which was used in funding the baby and his mum’s weekly bills, medical tests and medications.
In all, Kate Henshaw and her group of friends raised 50 per cent of the total money generated.
Everything worked well until the family started making trouble and the money, which Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, Executive Director, Project Alert said is in excess of N9 million, allegedly became a target for Baby Michael’s family.
According to Effah-Chukwuma, at a recent press conference, Project Alert and the rescuers have decided to refund all donations to the respective donors because Baby Michael’s family has frustrated their efforts.
“Their antagonism was not only limited to the rescuers and Project Alert, but also to the different government agencies responsible for care and protection of children such as Michael. Not only did his mother, Mary, abandon him in the wards; she was also maltreating him…and even beat up another woman in the ward, and threatened to burn down the ward when accosted by the matron,” a statement signed by Effah-Chukuma read.
As a result, she was banned from the hospital and the baby’s grandmother came to stay with him, while his aunt, Syndi Ezeanyeji assumed guardianship.
Effah-Chukwuma spoke of how Ezeanyeji, in November, last year, sent lawyers to them requesting information on the account and amount raised and how the family vehemently rejected efforts by the state government to place the baby under proper hygienic care, accusing the state and the rescuing team of conniving to take their child away from them.
Things reached a head in February this year, when, at a meeting of all parties convened by the Lagos Social Welfare Department, at the Secretariat, the family vehemently refused to give up their son, rejected further medical intervention and signed an affidavit with the welfare body to the effect. Aside that, Ezeanyeji got another law firm, Beacon Solicitors to write to Project Alert about the fund.
As a result, Project Alert and the rescuers wonder why the family is more interested in the money which was raised for the boy’s treatment than his health and have decided to reimburse the donors.
The donations will be refunded in the following order: 50 per cent to all donors who made donations of N20, 000 and above; and 100 per cent to those who donated N19, 999.
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Free health treatment for Lagos communities
No fewer than 3,000 residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Local government Area and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), benefited from a three-day free health mission sponsored by the Lagos State Government, under the auspices of the Lagos Free Health Mission (FHM), which was rounded off at the Ifako Mini-stadium on Friday last week.
The new health initiative was launched by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in March. The initiative was aimed at promoting the well-being of Lagosians.
Inaugurating the three-day event earlier on Tuesday, the Sole Administrator of Ojokoro LCDA Dr Waliu Ipaye, said the free health mission has deepened access to free medical care to a large spectrum of the public who hitherto had continued to suffer in silence.
His LCDA is co-hosting the FHM, which is being spearheaded by the state’s Ministry of Health.
Ipaye said he and his colleague at Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Mr. Babatunde I.Q. Rajh-Label, would mobilise the people massively in order to ensure that majority of the indigent members of the public benefit from the exercise.
Welcoming the beneficiaries earlier, Rajh-Label appreciated Governor Ambode for on the initiative. He said the FHM has helped in improving the quality of health care and well-being of the people at the grassroots across the state at no cost.
The council chief said the FHM would provide medical solution to a wide range of health challenges which hamper people’s health. Such health challenges, he said, include diabetes, high blood pressure, blood sugar level test, dental and optical care, malaria and meningitis, arthritis, HIV/AIDS as well as trauma and depression, among others.
He said over 60,000 indigent members of the public, including women, children, teenagers, adults and the aged have so far benefitted from the initiative since it was launched in March.
Rajh-Label revealed that the FHM is assisting the government in collating statistics that could help in arriving at appropriate epidemiological mapping and programme planning, as part of efforts to move the state forward.
Also drawing attention to the existence of Primary Health Centres (PHC) across the state, Rajh-Label said members of the public should make good use of those units of health care which, according to him, the governor has equipped to provide free medical services to the people.
He said it was disheartening that Lagosians have continued to daily besiege all the state’s General Hospitals scattered across all the five divisions of the state, while these PHCs equipped with appropriate drugs are not patronised.
Deputy Director in the state’s Ministry of Health Dr. Rasheed stated that the state government, through the ministry, has, in the past three months, increased access to medicare for people of the various communities in all the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
He said the Ministry of Health mobilised appropriate medical doctors, nurses, dentists, ophthalmologists and other medical personnel in all the council areas in order to provide free services in accordance with the mission and mandate of the governor.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo, commended the governor for the initiative which has further confirmed him (Ambode) as a governor who has good intentions for the people. He urged them to come out en masse to receive free medical treatment.
Dr Tolu Ajomale, the representative of the Project Director Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said it is gratifying that the downtrodden embraced the programme, adding that with such programme, the government is changing the face of the state as, he said, a healthy state would be a wealthy state.
He revealed that the programme would aid the government in developing a database of epidemiological trends in the state and this would help in arriving at decisions aimed at appropriately targeting programmes aimed at containing such health challenges of the people, as the team planned to go round the state to provide free medical services to the people.
Responding on behalf of the residents, the Baale of Karaole, near Oko-Oba in Abule-Egba area of the state, Chief Olayinka Dada George, praised the governor for the gesture. He said aggressive mobilisation would continue even after the programme for the people to always rally behind the governor and to continue to patronise the health care centres located within the local governments.
“We are happy with our governor for bringing the initiative closer to us at Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro. With this, the governor has been able to show us he is committed to the well-being of the people. We too will continue to rally round him and support all the programmes aimed at making life more rewarding for the people.
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Cleric urges Nigerians to pray for Buhari
Rev. Soji Adeniyi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lokoja, has appealed to Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari,as he traveled out of the country on health ground.
Adeniyi made the appeal on Sunday in Lokoja, his sermon entitled, “The need to always pray for a nation.”
The cleric said there was a need for the people to always seek the face of God for their leaders and country.
The Reverend, who prayed for the quick recovery of Buhari, said he would triumph over the sickness and return in good health to continue his duty to the nation.
He advised people who form the habit of wishing their fellow human death to eschew such attitude, adding that it was against the scripture.
Adeniyi, however, urged leaders to always have the fear of God in their actions toward the led and make it a duty to serve the people.
He expressed the hope that Nigeria would soon be ranked among great nations of the world. (NAN)
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Ebola outbreak in Central Africa: FG calls for vigilance
Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, has called for heightened vigilance and intensified awareness efforts on symptoms of hemorrhagic fevers following the outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Minister made the call in a statement issued on his behalf on Saturday in Abuja by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Health.
The Minister advised health care providers and members of the public, to report any sign of illness to public health officials.
He said in response to the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) on confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), government had directed health officials stationed at the ports, to step up inspection activities.
He said that the symptoms to look out for included fever, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and muscle aches.
He said explained that patients with more severe cases would show bleeding under the skin, internal organs or even from mouth and ears.
The Minister urged Nigerians not to panic as the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) was equipped to secure the health of citizens.
He said NCDC had been strengthening states capacities to detect, manage and respond to hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever.
Adewole therefore called on states to begin social mobilization and media awareness efforts, via TV, Radio, Print and Social Media.
The Health minister directed all Nigerian health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, by screening all fevers for Ebola and other hemorrhagic fevers. NAN)
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‘Stop politicising Buhari’s health’
The National Committee of Yoruba Youths (NCYY) and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Terrorism have warned those politicising President Muhammadu Buhari’s health to desist.
NCYY President Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji and CCSOAT Secretary Comrade Olufemi Lawson spoke yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Odeyemi said: “We are worried that the threat to our corporate existence may not be from Boko Haram insurgents, but the activities of tribal war leaders, ethnic jingoists, religious zealots and overzealous self-acclaimed activists, who feel they can play politics with Buhari’s health.”
He condemned rumour of the President’s health.
His words: “Instead of spreading rumour about Buhari’s health, we must appreciate the determination, focus and compassion of the President and the leadership of security agencies, especially the Army, led by Gen. Tukur Buratai, which resulted in the recent release of 82 of the Chibok schoolgirls.
“The Buhari administration is plugging loopholes through the Treasury Single Account. It has shown courage to tackle corruption and insurgency.”
Odeyemi urged Nigerians to support the Buhari government to salvage the country.
He implored them to pray for the President’s recovery.
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How body types affect health
Nigerians have been called upon to understand their body mechanism and composition in order to live optimally. According to a chiropractor, Prof Magnus Atilade of St. Luke’s Chiropractic Specialist Clinic, Lagos, understanding one’s body, its composition, and how it is expected to function will guide one to be careful in food choice, needless dieting and activities.
Prof Atilade said chiropractors have discovered that some people have mainly structural problems, while others’ structure are not too bad and health problems occur in other areas. He said: “There are three body types (somatotypes) and before I explain this more let me say there is no “good” or “bad” body type. Being aware of which body type you have can help you get results by choosing the right food in accordance with your genetics. People are born with an inherited body type based on skeletal frame and body composition. So, when they have challenges with their health, Chiropractors can assist.
“Chiropractors are available in Nigeria. A chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neuro-muscular disorders, with emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. Chiropractic is a system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints, especially those of the spinal column, which are held to cause other disorders by affecting the nerves, muscles, and organs.
“A lot of Nigerians are yet to avail themselves of their services and are suffering in silence by engaging in fruitless efforts when it comes to their health; an issue Chiropractors can easily correct based on the understanding of Ectomorph: Lean and long, with difficulty in building muscle. Endomorph: Big, high body fat, often pear-shaped, with a high tendency to store body fat. Mesomorph: Muscular and well-built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells,” said Prof Atilade.
He continued:“For instance, the three body types (somatotypes)- Endomorths, Mesomorths and Ectomorths function thus: Endomorths easily hold on to fat, especially in legs and arms and often have a softer shape with big bones. Mesomorths are naturally athletic. They find it easy to put on muscle and stay lean. They are naturally sporty looking people. And Ectomorths are naturally long, lean and slim. They find it hard to build muscle and put on weight. They are lucky to have a fast metabolism.”
“Research shows that endomorphs are more sensitive to insulin. For this reason they should avoid carbohydrates. A diet with bigger percentage of fats (40 percent healthy fats) and protein (35 per cent) is best. Carbohydrates should not exceed 25 per cent of your daily intake and when reaching for them you should choose whole grains and brown versions such as wholegrain bread or brown rice. Slow-absorbing carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and oatmeal are particularly the best,” he explained.
He said Mesomorphs seem to have it all, but they are not immune to weight gain. “If they let it go with an unhealthy diet they will put on weight easily, but at the sametime they can lose extra pounds in no time. For mesomorphs, a good diet suggests 40 per cent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 per cent healthy fats like avocado, nuts, olive oil. Because it is difficult for ectomorphs to gain mass due to their fast metabolism, carbohydrates should make up 55 per cent of their diet. According to research this should be completed with 25 percent of protein and 20 per cent healthy fats. Reach for good complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, whole grain rice, pasta, bread and good quality protein (2g per kg of your body weight) such as lean organic chicken, beef (1 source of protein), organic eggs, peanut butter.
“Ectomorphs like mesomorphs should avoid junk food because even though they will burn it fast, they will notice fat in unwanted places such as their stomach or sides or lower back. For all three groups it is important to eat good quality food, avoid junk, avoid skipping meals and make water your main drink.”
Prof Atilade said a person may amazingly combine all, which is a classic combination of all the somatotypes that include pear-shaped ecto-endomorphs with thin, delicate upper bodies and high fat storage in the hips and thighs, and apple-shaped endo-ectomorphs, with high fat storage in the mid-section and thin lower bodies.
“When all these are understood, dieting, exercising, musculoskeletal issues like arthritis and dealing with chronic or acute health challenges will be easily dealt with,’ he explained.