Author: Karen Afandi Chagwaya
Kenya Projects Organization,
P.O Box 15509-00503, Mbagathi – Nairobi, Kenya
Email: karenchagwaya@gmail.com
Abstract
Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge, particularly among school-going children in low-resource settings, where it undermines their physical growth, cognitive development, and academic performance. Among the essential nutrients required for healthy development, Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function, vision, and immunity. Fish, as a rich and natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids, presents a practical and sustainable dietary solution to address malnutrition among school-aged children. This paper explores the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in enhancing cognitive performance and overall health in school-going children in Kenya, with a specific emphasis on fish as a primary dietary source. It provides an in-depth analysis of the nutritional composition of fish, highlights key species rich in Omega-3, and examines their potential to improve learning outcomes and physical well-being. The study also addresses challenges to incorporating fish into the diets of school-going children, including cost, accessibility, cultural perceptions, and the risk of contamination in certain fish species. To encourage the inclusion of fish in school meal programs and household diets, the paper proposes strategies such as local fish farming, nutrition education initiatives, and affordable fish-based recipes. Concluding, it reveals the importance of integrating fish-based nutrition into public health and educational policies to combat malnutrition effectively. By leveraging the nutritional value of fish, this study advocates for sustainable interventions to enhance the health and academic success of school-going children globally.
Keywords: Malnutrition in school-going children, Omega-3 fatty acids, Fish-based nutrition, Cognitive development, Child health and nutrition, Sustainable dietary solutions, Nutritional intervention strategies, School meal programs, Public health policies, Academic performance and nutrition
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Suggested Citation
Afandi, K. C., (2024). Fish as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Malnourished School Going Children in Kenya. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 12(2), 50-55. Available at http://arjess.org/education-research/fish-as-a-source-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-for-malnourished-school-going-children-in-kenya.pdf
