There is a need to focus on how food is marketed to children in schools.

According to UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett children are being exposed to unhealthy food as they grow older and a study has found that poor diet is affecting childrens’ health.

I think it’s really important to look at the development processes. There is two core period in a child’s life. The first 1000 days, the first several years, the first two years of a child’s life are key. A child must get the love and the simulations and adequate nutritional support during this period

Yett also says there is a high rate of anemia among 15 to 49 year old women which can also affect the health of a baby.

Health Minister Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says they are working with other organizations to address this issue.

“The Ministry is working hand in hand with other stakeholders in government such the agriculture ministry to make sure we continue to have a lot of our foods available.”

He adds they have a health promoting program in more than 200 schools and hope to extend this to other schools next year.