₦airaland Forum

I'm a Nigerian and I currently live in one of the coldest provinces in Canada with no plans to return back to Nigeria any time soon as it is clear that Nigeria has become over 10 times worse since I left Nigeria about 4 years ago.

The current average life expectancy of Canadians is 83 years versus 55 years for Nigerians. The question that begs for answer therefore is that what are the factors that are responsible for this great difference in average life expectancy.

I may not be able to point to all, but from my close observation having lived in both countries, I have noticed that one major reason for this is DIET.

First thing I noticed is that Canadians have access to lots of fruits and vegetables and these are not just for a select few but they are available and affordable to everybody in the society. It might shock us as Nigerians to know that even though banana doesn't grow in Canada, Canadians eat way more Banana that Nigerians do. Banana (whether organic or GMO) is available to Canadians every single day of the year. Same with Plantains.

As a matter of fact, I learnt how to bake Banana bread because often times, you may have over ripe bananas at home which may not be edible but could be only be used for one thing - Banana bread. So without learning how to bake banana bread, you will have lots of banana getting rotten and thrown away at home.

On the flip side, as one who stayed in Abuja, Nigeria and driving through Berger I remember buying Banana from women and girls hulking banana around the Utako market. Back then it was usually for around N1,000 to N1,500 for a decent bunch. I don't know how much they may be now with the worsened state of the economy. In Canada, you can buy one or two fingers of banana if that is your wish. In Nigeria, you dare not as you will immediately be cursed by the sellers. There are far far more fruits and vegetables that Canadians eat that Nigerians would have no access to.

The second reason I think Canadians have better health compared to Nigerians is because of their access to proteins compared to Nigerians. By proteins, I mean eggs, milks, chicken, meat and fish. Their milk here is majorly a sugarless liquid in 1 to 4 liters compared to the sweetened powdered and tin milk we have in Nigeria. The average Canadian drinks milk like water compared to a Nigerian and you can be sure of the nutrients in the milk as their dairy industry is heavily protected and regulated with price ceilings specified by the government.

My summary therefore is that nutritious food availability is one of the major reasons why a resident of one country may live longer compared to a resident of another country. What do you think. Let me hear your thoughts.

Watch how the front page will elude this topic. Nobody comes here to learn.

MockingBird:
I'm a Nigerian and I currently live in one of the coldest provinces in Canada with no plans to return back to Nigeria any time soon as it is clear that Nigeria has become over 10 times worse since I left Nigeria about 4 years ago.

The current average life expectancy of Canadians is 83 years versus 55 years for Nigerians. The question that begs for answer therefore is that what are the factors that are responsible for this great difference in average life expectancy.

I may not be able to point to all, but from my close observation having lived in both countries, I have noticed that one major reason for this is DIET.

First thing I noticed is that Canadians have access to lots of fruits and vegetables and these are not just for a select few but they are available and affordable to everybody in the society. It might shock us as Nigerians to know that even though banana doesn't grow in Canada, Canadians eat way more Banana that Nigerians do. Banana (whether organic or GMO) is available to Canadians every single day of the year. Same with Plantains.

As a matter of fact, I learnt how to bake Banana bread because often times, you may have over ripe bananas at home which may not be edible but could be only be used for one thing - Banana bread. So without learning how to bake banana bread, you will have lots of banana getting rotten and thrown away at home.

On the flip side, as one who stayed in Abuja, Nigeria and driving through Berger I remember buying Banana from women and girls hulking banana around the Utako market. Back then it was usually for around N1,000 to N1,500 for a decent bunch. I don't know how much they may be now with the worsened state of the economy. In Canada, you can one or two fingers of banana if that is your wish. In Nigeria, you dare not as you will immediately be cursed by the sellers. There are far far more fruits and vegetables that Canadians eat that Nigerians would have no access to.

The second reason I think Canadians have better health compared to Nigerians is because of their access to proteins compared to Nigerians. By proteins, I mean eggs, milks, chicken, meat and fish. Their milk here is majorly a sugarless liquid in 1 to 4 liters compared to the sweetened powdered and tin milk we have in Nigeria. The average Canadian drinks milk like water compared to a Nigerian and you can be sure of the nutrients in the milk as their dairy industry is heavily protected and regulated with price ceilings specified by the government.

My summary therefore is that nutritious food availability is one of the major reasons why a resident of one country may live longer compared to a resident of another country. What do you think. Let me hear your thoughts.

eepeepook:
Watch how the front page will elude this topic. Nobody comes here to learn.

I can bet that some data boys here have never tasted original milk

Fura de nunu utilizes original milk. Many here drink it because they weren’t breastfed as babies.

Osiris12:
I can bet that some data boys here have never tasted original milk

It is well... Nigeria has never been for everybody

There are other factors. You must control for lack of people with oloshoic proclivities, yahoo boys, boko-haram, cars releasing terrible air into the atmosphere, noise pollution, good medical care, affordable supplements, to mention but a few. Even at that, correlation does not mean causation.

eepeepook:
Watch how the front page will elude this topic. Nobody comes here to learn.

Criticism. Is that your only contribution??

This is a decent observation. Nigeria has many other ills to be concerned about than the ones you listed though. The poor infrastructure and insecurity iare cancers.

I have read the write up and I'm back.

I disagree with your opinion even though you are entitled to them. The only reason the white might live longer than us is because of easy access to quality heath care nothing else. Just lost a relative recently and he lived closed to 93 here in Nigeria.

Haba you are comparing Nigeria to Canada, are you for real? You are not even talking of comparision with other Africa country or India but Canada.

Very funny people plenty here in NL.

You said One reason..
I will give you twenty...
Infact living in Nigeria is a great battle.

Osiris12:
I can bet that some data boys here have never tasted original milk

Guy you still carry this your bitterness enter this lovely thread?

MockingBird:
I'm a Nigerian and I currently live in one of the coldest provinces in Canada with no plans to return back to Nigeria any time soon as it is clear that Nigeria has become over 10 times worse since I left Nigeria about 4 years ago.

The current average life expectancy of Canadians is 83 years versus 55 years for Nigerians. The question that begs for answer therefore is that what are the factors that are responsible for this great difference in average life expectancy.

I may not be able to point to all, but from my close observation having lived in both countries, I have noticed that one major reason for this is DIET.

First thing I noticed is that Canadians have access to lots of fruits and vegetables and these are not just for a select few but they are available and affordable to everybody in the society. It might shock us as Nigerians to know that even though banana doesn't grow in Canada, Canadians eat way more Banana that Nigerians do. Banana (whether organic or GMO) is available to Canadians every single day of the year. Same with Plantains.

As a matter of fact, I learnt how to bake Banana bread because often times, you may have over ripe bananas at home which may not be edible but could be only be used for one thing - Banana bread. So without learning how to bake banana bread, you will have lots of banana getting rotten and thrown away at home.

On the flip side, as one who stayed in Abuja, Nigeria and driving through Berger I remember buying Banana from women and girls hulking banana around the Utako market. Back then it was usually for around N1,000 to N1,500 for a decent bunch. I don't know how much they may be now with the worsened state of the economy. In Canada, you can buy one or two fingers of banana if that is your wish. In Nigeria, you dare not as you will immediately be cursed by the sellers. There are far far more fruits and vegetables that Canadians eat that Nigerians would have no access to.

The second reason I think Canadians have better health compared to Nigerians is because of their access to proteins compared to Nigerians. By proteins, I mean eggs, milks, chicken, meat and fish. Their milk here is majorly a sugarless liquid in 1 to 4 liters compared to the sweetened powdered and tin milk we have in Nigeria. The average Canadian drinks milk like water compared to a Nigerian and you can be sure of the nutrients in the milk as their dairy industry is heavily protected and regulated with price ceilings specified by the government.

My summary therefore is that nutritious food availability is one of the major reasons why a resident of one country may live longer compared to a resident of another country. What do you think. Let me hear your thoughts.

Canada no get fruits na.visit SA u will know what fruit lifestyle is.

Malnutrition is the primary cause of most diseases common to Nigerian ppl, at the very least, try to eat 5g of meat per day, nothing less than 6 eggs and at least an apple every single day (if apple isn't your poison, salad, every single day, this is non-negotiable)
May Allah provide for all of us, ameen.
PS: Why is Nairaland so dry these days? FPT and there's only 2-3 comments unless it's politics or romance wahala, what is happening?

EmperorIsaac:
There are other factors. You must control for lack of people with oloshoic proclivities, yahoo boys, boko-haram, cars releasing terrible air into the atmosphere, noise pollution, good medical care, affordable supplements, to mention but a few. Even at that, correlation does not mean causation.

cultism, corruption too

A lot of things could be the cause, i might not have visited the country specified.

We have a growing huge population with little to feed them, we depends heavily on imported food to sustain our huge population having a great impact on life expectancy in this country...

Standard of living in nigeria is also a major factor, where a minimum earns below or a little above 50 dolls in a month, we all know it wont be enough for survival.

also how health care sector is in shambles, we dont have access to health care facilities.

Other factor is access to adequate rest time, most people dont have access to 7-8 hours sleep per day, most lagosians and some metropolitan state in the country dont have access to adequate sleeping time.

Another factor is time spent on transit from home to work vis-a-vis. you might spent 1/3 of your day in transit where as in develop nations, you can time your movement from zone A to B

In all these challenges highlighted above there is room for growth to occur, we just need the right people in power and also be a good law abiding citizens.

Thanks.

Food is generally cheaper in America and Europe.

Most of the top billionaires in America are Agriculturists. Coupled with the mechanised farming they do. Here, it's left in the hands of the peasant farmers.

Can such people feed about two hundred and fifty million people? NO! Here, everyone is chasing liquid gold. Others are hell-bent in clamouring to hit it big in a moment.

Nice remarks. As a Nigerian, I make sure I eat a lot of vegetables

This is very write,I really appreciate your findings and observations, most of our great grandparents that live longer age have access to varieties of fruits in the village, and fruits are pure natural remedies for a lot of ailments or diseases, thanks, almighty God will continue to add to your knowledge and healthy living.

untoldtruth:
Malnutrition is the primary cause of most diseases common to Nigerian ppl, at the very least, try to eat 5g of meat per day, nothing less than 6 eggs and at least an apple every single day (if apple isn't your poison, salad, every single day, this is non-negotiable)
May Allah provide for all of us, ameen.
PS: Why is Nairaland so dry these days? FPT and there's only 2-3 comments unless it's politics or romance wahala, what is happening?

6 eggs per day, are you a wrestler?

Very beautiful observation!
Things are truly tough for the average Nigerian. Another major reason for the low life expectancy in Nigeria is access to quality healthcare, quality and affordable healthcare is among the many other things lacking in this country.

Again for the diet, it's not as if I'm saying vegetables, fruits and other supplements are cheap or readily available, Nigerians don't value these foods, No matter your budget ,you can still somehow fix these foods into your diet. Nigerians just want to make money and manage. Eating good and healthy foods, rest and vacation and taking a little time to catch fun is not their problem

MockingBird:
I'm a Nigerian and I currently live in one of the coldest provinces in Canada with no plans to return back to Nigeria any time soon as it is clear that Nigeria has become over 10 times worse since I left Nigeria about 4 years ago.

The current average life expectancy of Canadians is 83 years versus 55 years for Nigerians. The question that begs for answer therefore is that what are the factors that are responsible for this great difference in average life expectancy.

I may not be able to point to all, but from my close observation having lived in both countries, I have noticed that one major reason for this is DIET.

First thing I noticed is that Canadians have access to lots of fruits and vegetables and these are not just for a select few but they are available and affordable to everybody in the society. It might shock us as Nigerians to know that even though banana doesn't grow in Canada, Canadians eat way more Banana that Nigerians do. Banana (whether organic or GMO) is available to Canadians every single day of the year. Same with Plantains.

As a matter of fact, I learnt how to bake Banana bread because often times, you may have over ripe bananas at home which may not be edible but could be only be used for one thing - Banana bread. So without learning how to bake banana bread, you will have lots of banana getting rotten and thrown away at home.

On the flip side, as one who stayed in Abuja, Nigeria and driving through Berger I remember buying Banana from women and girls hulking banana around the Utako market. Back then it was usually for around N1,000 to N1,500 for a decent bunch. I don't know how much they may be now with the worsened state of the economy. In Canada, you can buy one or two fingers of banana if that is your wish. In Nigeria, you dare not as you will immediately be cursed by the sellers. There are far far more fruits and vegetables that Canadians eat that Nigerians would have no access to.

The second reason I think Canadians have better health compared to Nigerians is because of their access to proteins compared to Nigerians. By proteins, I mean eggs, milks, chicken, meat and fish. Their milk here is majorly a sugarless liquid in 1 to 4 liters compared to the sweetened powdered and tin milk we have in Nigeria. The average Canadian drinks milk like water compared to a Nigerian and you can be sure of the nutrients in the milk as their dairy industry is heavily protected and regulated with price ceilings specified by the government.

My summary therefore is that nutritious food availability is one of the major reasons why a resident of one country may live longer compared to a resident of another country. What do you think. Let me hear your thoughts.

And the denigration of our beloved country continues!

The Op. being the Mockingbird that he is, went about ranting about fruits in Canada without offering any solutions that can help Nigerians back home to improve production.

I was hoping he would say Canadians never die because they eat lots of fruits, eggs, drink plenty of milk daily, etc.

In the common parlance, these set of runaway Nigerians are called "Borntrowey"!



@hotseat

Accessibility to adequate healthcare is the major reason the Canadians have a longer lifespan.

In terms of food you highlighted above, most of the food they eat are preserved with preservatives even some fruits unlike the go to the farms and get them practices in some parts of Nigeria. That is why obesity is a problem there.

Social life is another issue of concern. Human being are social animals, but in most western countries, this aspect of humanity is near to zero. Parents are forgotten in retirement homes and the system keep pushing you to work more and more.

As indicated, accessibility to proper healthcare is the main key to success longevity not the so called junks many of them are eating.

That's why I always said it that many people are leaving the country in droves not because they cannot make money but they want long life

Go and look at our political class, have you wondered why they live long? Nigerians politicians will never eat bad rice but want you as a citizen to consume bad rice. They will never eat bad foods but will make life hard for an average man to make money that will be enough to eat a balanced diet.

EmperorIsaac:
There are other factors. You must control for lack of people with oloshoic proclivities, yahoo boys, boko-haram, cars releasing terrible air into the atmosphere, noise pollution, good medical care, affordable supplements, to mention but a few. Even at that, correlation does not mean causation.

Correlation is a signal to investigate more
It might be a sign of causation
Just as correlation doesnt equal causation, it doesnt rule it out either

You don't know what you are talking about and I can educate you freely as someone who lived more than 14 years in Canada. Food and vegetables are cheaper, fresher here in Nigeria compared to Canada. I didn't eat lots of bananas in Canada as It’s basically GMO modified and unnecessarily sweet, I buy a bunch of bananas in Lagos every single day for five hundred Naira.

I buy one big avocado for 500 Naira as well, I don’t freeze half of the year and I have access to a wider range of fruites and vegetables here in Lagos. As a Canadian Citizen, you can never pay me to live in Canada ever again.
The only aspect Canada is better is the Healthcare and as an healthy person, I usually never had the need to visit an hospital in Canada so, same for me in Nigeria.

With the current happening in Nigeria, it's madness to compare living age with Canada. Poverty, Poor health system, insecurity is enough red flags

CorperKola:
Correlation is a signal to investigate more
It might be a sign of causation
Just as correlation doesnt equal causation, it doesnt rule it out either

Look at all the other variables you must control for. Nutrition (he emphasized only fruits) alone cannot be a causative factor, that's my point.

Na stress, they make Nigeria quick die. Working from morning till evening everyday with no retirement plan

Nnamdipapa:
You don't know what you are talking about and I can educate you freely as someone who lived more than 14 years in Canada. Food and vegetables are cheaper, fresher here in Nigeria compared to Canada. I didn't eat lots of bananas in Canada as It’s basically GMO modified and unnecessarily sweet, I buy a bunch of bananas in Lagos every single day for five hundred Naira.

I buy one big avocado for 500 Naira as well, I don’t freeze half of the year and I have access to a wider range of fruites and vegetables here in Lagos. As a Canadian Citizen, you can never pay me to live in Canada ever again.
The only aspect Canada is better is the Healthcare and as an healthy person, I usually never had the need to visit an hospital in Canada so, same for me in Nigeria.

You just de run mouth anyhow without making any sense, do you dispute the 55 years average age for Nigerian?