Project Lead(s): Obidi Ezezika, Allen Bain
Issue
There is a rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that includes cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity.
In 2004, more than half of all deaths in SSA were caused by infectious conditions and one-quarter by NCDs. By 2030, mortality from NCDs will rise to 46%.
There are currently very few programs focused on reducing the incidence of NCDs in SSA by acting on risk factors such as diet.
Solution
The idea behind this project was to use a gaming platform and storytelling to improve nutrition knowledge of secondary school students and mothers, and leveraging their ability to influence their communities and their exposure to social influence from peers/neighbours.
The aim was to test whether a nutrition board/video game and voucher system (Nutrido™) would increase vegetable and fruit intake among adolescents. Points gained in the game translate into e-vouchers that enable students to buy fruits and vegetables at school market vendors.
Behaviour is reinforced through storytelling platforms where students share their nutrition stories.
The program was piloted in ten private secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria, with approximately 1,200 students.
To ensure the sustainability within the schools, the team created Nutrido Clubs, comprised of student leaders and teachers as champions.
Outcome
Results from qualitative surveys and focus groups from three of the schools showed that students improved their nutrition and health habits, specifically by increasing the intake of fruit and vegetables.
For example, a number of the students reported an increase from 0–1 servings to 5–6 servings of fruits per day. A reduction in the number of sick days, improved nutrition knowledge and increased physical activity was also documented.
Evaluation of the Nutrido program revealed numerous benefits:
· Enriched eating by participants (including increased fruit and vegetable intake)
· Improved physical activity
· Improved overall well-being
· Increased nutritional knowledge among students
· An influence on peers and family members to increase fruit and vegetable intake.
Knowledge was disseminated at a number of conferences and through the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA).
The team plans to scale up this innovation in 164 public secondary schools.
Contracts have been established with ten secondary schools that will be paying for the Nutrido program over the next two years.
Partnerships include two key government bodies that will be instrumental in the scaling up of the Nutrido program.