UNICEF awards winners of children?s art competition devoted to improving mother and child health

ASTANA. 22 April. KAZINFORM /Sultanbek Khudaibergenov/ The art competition was held among art schools of Astana from 11 March to 6 April 2009 with the initiative and support of the Kazakh Education and Science Ministry, UNICEF, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and Kazakhstan?s Union of Wheat Processors and Bakeries as part of the project called ?The improvement of Kazakhstan?s health through the consumption of bread made of fortified flour?. The UN Children?s Fund has awarded the winners of the children?s art competition ?Clever bread for clever boys and clever girls?.
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Among 6-8-year-old participants Meruert Ingibayeva won first place (The Akbulak child development centre), Ayana Bagasharova (Children?s art school No3) and Yekaterina Kolyada (The Balausa kindergarten No27) shared second place, and Ainur Sarbasova (Arts school No1), Maksim Rybin (The Balausa kindergarten No27) and Chingiz Karishev (Arts school No1) shared third place. Among 9-11-year-old children Isakhan Shuyenshaliyev and Viktoriya Scherbatykh (both from Arts school No1) shared first place, Anastasiya Khivrenko (Arts school No1) and Balzhan Isakova (Children?s art school No3) shared second place and third place was won by Gulyan Naubetova and Dzhamilya Abrayeva (both from Arts school No1). Among 12-15-year-old participants Ainur Asbekova won first place (Children?s art school No3), Yelaman Ablygazy (Arts school No1) and Inzhu Ualkhanova (Children?s art school No3) won second place, and Irina Kurchatova, Togzhan Mendykarykyzy and Inna Shekhereva (all from Arts school No1) shared third place. The competition?s aim was to increase consumers? demand for fortified flour and bread made of fortified. According to UNICEF, at the moment about 45 per cent of women of reproductive age suffer from iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Kazakhstan, which has a negative impact on their health and the health of their babies. The fortification of food with vitamins and minerals, in particular, the fortification of flour with iron and folic acid, is the most cost-effective and easiest way to curb anemia. ?Kazakhstan is rich in highly educated and intelligent people. Such art competitions help reveal and develop talents in children at early age. At the same time, the consumption of bread fortified with vitamins will further intellectual development of children,? UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Hanaa Singer said at the awarding ceremony. The fortification of flour with important vitamins and minerals will considerably reduce maternal mortality, inborn defects among newborn babies, will further intellectual development of children and prevent anemia among children and women, said Hanaa Singer. The Kazakh Academy for Nutrition at UNICEF?s order and GAIN?s support carried out in 2008 a study ?The assessment of the level of anemia, knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviour on flour fortification to improve the health of Kazakhstan?s population?. According to the results of the study, 44.9 per cent of children, 45.3 per cent of women and 28.1 per cent of men suffer from IDA, which amounts to 6.5 million of Kazakhstan?s citizens. IDA affects the physical abilities of children and adults, their immune system, increases incidence of infectious diseases and worsens cognitive abilities and behaviour at any age. The deficiency in folic acid causes inborn defects in the embryo in the first four weeks of pregnancy, when women may even not know that they are pregnant. According to the Damage Assessment Report for Kazakhstan (2004), every day eight children die in Kazakhstan because of the weak immune system caused by the severe IDA, every day two babies are born in Kazakhstan with severe innate defects because of the deficiency in folic acid in their mothers. In general, economic losses account for up to 5 per cent of Kazakhstan?s GDP every year because of the poor nutrition. The adequate consumption of folic acid reduces the risk of developing cancer of the pancreas. The deficiency in folic acid leads to the incidence of the disease of prostate and adenoma among men. UNICEF is on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world?s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
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