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Lecturer: Faculty of health sciences, University of the Free State, and nutrition lead for the South African Civil Society for Women’s, Adolescents’ and Children’s Health (SACSOWACH)
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hantell itten had wanted to study social work when she left school, but her marks in maths were not up to scratch. A friend suggested she apply for dietetics at university since a good maths grade was not a prerequisite. “I always knew I wanted to help people. elping people is at the core of who I am.”
itten began her career in , practicing applied dietetics at ivingstone ospital. It was the height of I infections, and many of the children she saw coming into the wards were suffering from malnutrition. This had a profound effect on her. hile completing her master’s at the niversity of the
estern ape , itten had the opportunity to work with the late rof avid Sanders a strong advocate for child nutrition. The experience set itten on her path towards public health nutrition, and after spending time in Bangladesh and Egypt, she oined the hildren’s Fund nicef in as a nutrition specialist.
itten believes in mentorship. At the height of her career, she was encouraged by her former lecturer at , rof Edelweiss entzel- il oen to pursue her h . espite initially being reluctant, she returned to study nutrition in and completed her doctorate in .
“If I wanted to change the world, then I had to change me,” she says.
itten’s passion is in infant nutrition with a particular focus on breastfeeding advocacy. lobally, mothers are advised to breastfeed to obtain optimal development and health in children. owever, South Africa has a low breastfeeding rate mostly due to societal and economic barriers. any children are being fed
IRUPXOD HVSHFLDOO\ GXULQJ WKH FUXFLDO ˋUVW days of development. itten is working relentlessly to change these statistics and challenge the notion that infant formula is an acceptable substitute for mother’s milk. itten says that the incorrect feeding of infant formula often leads to tragic consequences. Formula is one of the ma or contributors to malnutrition in children. others who cannot afford the volume of formula that would provide adequate nutrition dilute it, with the result that the child does not have their nutritional needs met. hen a lack of access to clean water means that the water used in formula is unclean, this additional factor leads to more health issues.
iten would like to see an environment that supports women, enabling them to optimally breastfeed their children. ultural attitudes to breastfeeding deter mothers from providing this essential nourishment. “The research was blaming women for things that were actually structural barriers for them to do what was appropriate,” she says. “They understand exclusive breastfeeding, but they can’t apply it if they are constantly looking for work, having to leave their child home to go to work, or standing in a queue for a child support grant. These economic barriers are the big stumbling blocks, but we also KDYH FXOWXUDO DQG KRPH HQYLURQPHQW EDUULHUV 7KH PRP LV ˋUVW at a public health facility, which does support breastfeeding, but she goes home to a community that doesn’t believe in breastfeeding.
“hildren are a long-term investment. You invest today and \RX ZLOO UHDS WKH EHQHˋWV LQ WKH IXWXUH ȥ
itten is inspired by children thriving in the context of South Africa. “I like photos of happy kids because it gives me hope. All the recent coverage of children has been of hunger, violence and negative stories. ids are the inspiration. hildren are the future and give us hope. If we get it right with them, we can look forward to something better.”
itten has been humbled by her nomination. “e all want acknowledgement and it’s good to get it. I have years left before I retire. I think the ourney ahead will bring a lot of change and I’m looking forward to this.” Carol Chamberlain