Nutritional Intervention Research Unit
Acting Director: Prof
P.L. (Pieter) Jooste
E-mail: pieter.jooste@mrc.ac.za
Adequate nutrition is
a basic human right and essential for the development of an individual's full
physical and intellectual potential.
Under-nutrition not only
affects the growth and development of children, but it may also contribute
to ill health and functional impairment in every stage of the life cycle.
According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is one of the three major causes of
infant mortality in children under five. Research aimed at improving the nutritional
status of the undernourished is therefore imperative both morally and economically.
The research agenda of
the Nutritional Intervention Research Unit (NIRU) addresses the most pressing
nutritional imbalances in South Africa. Research partners include scientists,
communities and relevant decision-makers and role-players as equal inclusive
partners. With its distinctive multi-disciplinary staff composition and expertise
in nutrition research, NIRU is well equipped to fulfil research on under-nutrition
in South Africa.
NIRU research activities
comply with national and international priorities relating to the principles
of essential national health research (ENHR).
Research outcomes are
applicable nationally and internationally, and are of particular relevance
in developing countries, both in Southern Africa and elsewhere.
Nutritional imbalances
such as vitamin A, iron, zinc and iodine remain a public health problem in
developing countries. These deficiencies cause learning disabilities, mental
retardation, poor health, low work capacity, blindness, a reduced immune response
and premature death.
In
South Africa, the following deficiencies have been noted:
- 33% (1,8 million) of
children under six years of age suffer from subclinical vitamin A deficiency,
while 21% (1,2 million) are anaemic.
- Although information
on zinc deficiency in South Africa is lacking, a study carried out by NIRU
showed that 27% of preschool children and 34% of primary school children
in a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal are zinc deficient.
- In spite of mandatory
iodisation of table salt there is still evidence of iodine deficiency in
the country.
NIRU
research environment
Nutrition research within the Medical Research Council (MRC) is dictated by
a number of factors, the most important being the requirements of the macro-environment.
The macro-environment
of the MRC represents governmental ministries, international organisations,
NGOs, bilateral agencies, academic institutions and the private sector - the
latter having signalled the direction and focus for nutrition research in
South Africa.
As an intramural research
unit of the MRC, NIRU strives to align itself not only with the requirements
of the external environment, but also with those of the internal environment.
The NIRU operates within
the framework of the MRC Corporate Strategic Plan and contributes to:
- nutrition knowledge
and innovation through peer-reviewed publications;
- policy formulation
and implementation through participation in advisory panels;
- capacity development
through courses, presentations and involvement in postgraduate studies;
- technology transfer
through development of nutrition software; and
- income generation through
a variety of approaches.
The NIRU focuses on national
nutrition research priorities in which it has a competitive advantage. Because
of the multi-disciplinary nature of nutrition research, NIRU collaborates
extensively with Units and Groups within the MRC.
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