Citing the nutritional benefits of eggs, nutrition experts have urged parents to divert money used in buying biscuits, sweets, and other sugar-sweetened beverages into buying eggs for children under five.

They explained that feeding children under five an egg daily can help in curbing Nigeria’s high burden of malnutrition.

They urged parents not to allow soaring food inflation to deny their children the basic high-nutrient food, such as eggs, they need for healthy growth and brain development.

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and nutrients, according to the World Health Organisation.

It explained that malnutrition covers two broad groups of conditions: undernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies; and overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

The WHO disclosed that about 150 million children under the age of five globally are stunted, with Nigeria having the second-highest burden of stunted children.

The United Nations Children’s Fund says malnutrition is a violation of children’s rights, while good nutrition sets children on the path to grow, develop, learn, and reach their full potential.

About 12.3 million Nigerian children suffer from chronic malnutrition, out of which 300,000 are at risk of dying, according to the Paediatric Association of Nigeria.

PUNCH Healthwise had reported that due to rising food prices, many parents could no longer afford to give their children eggs, one of the cheapest and most commonly available sources of protein.

The price of eggs began to rise in late 2023, increasing from about N2,600 to N6,000 per crate. Depending on the location, a crate currently sells for around N5,000 to 6,500, while a single egg costs between N200, N250, and N300.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, an expert in maternal and child nutrition, Prof. Beatrice Ogunba, said eggs are a cheap, high-nutrient food that promotes children under five growth and development.

According to her, high-quality protein, choline, healthy fats, vitamins A, D, and B12, riboflavin, and minerals like iron, zinc, selenium, and iodine are all found in eggs.

Ogunba, who is a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, explained that these nutrients are necessary for strong bones and teeth, healthy growth, brain development, immunity, and vision in children.

“Eating well-cooked eggs on a regular basis as part of a varied diet promotes healthy weight gain, enhances cognitive development, lowers the risk of protein and micronutrient deficiency, and improves dietary quality. Eggs are great for young children because they are inexpensive and simple to prepare,” she said.

She said children under five should be given one egg daily, adding that eggs are a nutrient powerhouse, offering high-quality protein and essential vitamins crucial for a growing child’s physical and brain development.

She explained that knowing when and how often to include eggs in children’s diet can set a strong foundation for lifelong health.

Ogunba said, “For children 6 to 8 months, as the baby begins complementary feeding, this is the ideal time to introduce well-cooked eggs. Start with very small amounts to see how your baby tolerates them. Mothers can start by mashing or blending cooked eggs directly into their daily pap.

“At age 9 to 23 months, eggs can become a regular staple in your child’s meals. Offering an egg daily can help meet their rapidly growing nutritional needs during these critical toddler months.

“For children ages 2 to 5 years, eating one egg per day fits perfectly into a well-rounded, diverse diet. It provides a reliable, high-density source of energy and nourishment to keep up with their active days.”

The professor urged parents to deploy the money used in buying sugar-sweetened beverages into buying eggs for children.

“Spending on nutrient-dense foods, including eggs, should take precedence over sugar-sweetened beverages for children under five. High-quality protein and other elements that promote immunity, brain development, and healthy growth are found in eggs.

“Young children shouldn’t be regularly given sugar-sweetened beverages because they have little nutritional benefit and raise the risk of dental caries, unhealthy weight gain, and bad eating habits,” she said.

She said that with Nigeria’s high malnutrition burden, eggs can help reduce the burden in the country.

“In environments where diets are deficient in high-quality protein and vital micronutrients, encouraging the consumption of eggs can be a successful nutrition-specific strategy to help prevent and reduce malnutrition among children under five.

“But rather than being used as a stand-alone remedy, eggs should be included in a varied, well-balanced diet. Regular egg consumption during complementary feeding can enhance dietary quality and promote child growth, particularly when paired with appropriate infant and young child feeding practices,” Ogunba said.

She, however, urged parents to thoroughly cook eggs given to children to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

Also, a registered dietitian nutritionist and former Director of Nutrition Services, Osun State, Mr James Oloyede, explained that eggs can help reduce malnutrition in children.

“The protein in eggs is of good quality as it contains all the essential amino acids, easily digested and fully utilised by children, helping to meet their protein requirements.

The egg protein is far better in quality and utilisation than any other animal or plant proteins,” Oloyede said in an earlier interview with PUNCH Healthwise.

He said children less than three years old may consume up to four eggs a week.

“Above this age, a child can consume one egg per day, but also as the child grows, his protein needs increase, especially during school age, when egg consumption can be safely increased to two per day.

“As a general recommendation, between one and two eggs a day is good for a child, depending on his or her age,” he said.