Malnutrition admissions at health facilities supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeast Nigeria jumped by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2026. Six health centres and four hospitals recorded nearly 20,000 cases between January and September, up from roughly 17,000 in the same period last year. The figures, released in an ICRC statement on October 15, 2026, confirm what many mothers in the region already know: food is harder to find, and children are paying the price.

The sharpest rise happened in Mubi, Adamawa State, where malnutrition cases surge by nearly 24 percent. Admissions there climbed from about 4,600 in the first nine months of 2025 to approximately 5,700 in 2026. Young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are the worst affected. Their bodies need more nutrients at exactly the moment those nutrients are hardest to come by.

What Is Driving The Numbers Up

Three forces are working together. First, prolonged armed conflict has disrupted farming and market access across the northeast. Second, climate-related shocks have damaged crops and reduced yields. Third, economic hardship has cut household purchasing power, so families that once bought food now cannot afford it.

The conflict also limits how far farmers can safely travel. Saminu Samiyu Ijaduwa, a farmer, told the ICRC that explosive devices had forced him to farm only a small plot near his home. “Due to the conflict, going one kilometre out of town to farm could be highly risky,” he said. “You might not return!” That single constraint ripples through entire communities. Less land cultivated means less food harvested, higher prices at the market, and smaller portions at home.

At the Mubi Stabilization Centre, mothers bring their children for nutritional assessments and supplementary food. Zulaihatu Mohammed arrived with her six-month-old twin, Huseina. “When I gave birth to them, this one was tiny,” she said. The child had been unwell since birth. Her story is not unusual.

What The ICRC And Nigerian Red Cross Are Doing

Working with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the ICRC supports 15 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals. It also assists more than 200 communities with malnutrition treatment and food-security initiatives.

The interventions go beyond emergency feeding. Farmers receive crop varieties suited to drought and flooding. Communities are encouraged to diversify what they plant. Mothers are trained to prepare nutritious meals from ingredients already available in their markets and farms.

One of the most practical tools is Tom Brown, a locally prepared nutritional blend made from sorghum, millet, soybeans, groundnuts and moringa. It is not a imported product or a expensive supplement. It is food that families can make themselves, using grains and legumes sold in almost every northern market. According to the ICRC, this intervention has helped more than 13,000 young children recover from moderate acute malnutrition. The training component matters as much as the food itself, because mothers can continue preparing the mixture at home long after the programme ends.

Why These Five Ingredients Matter

Sorghum and millet provide energy and are naturally drought-tolerant, which matters in a region where rainfall is unpredictable. Soybeans and groundnuts supply protein and healthy fats, the building blocks a growing child needs. Moringa leaves add vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and iron, at almost no cost because the tree grows widely across northern Nigeria.

When these ingredients are combined correctly and cooked into a smooth blend, they create a nutrient-dense porridge that a young child can eat several times a day. It is not a replacement for breast milk in infants under six months. But for children over six months, and for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, it is a realistic way to add protein, energy and micronutrients to the daily diet.

How To Prepare Tom Brown At Home

You do not need special equipment. Toast equal parts sorghum, millet, soybeans and groundnuts separately in a dry pan until fragrant. Allow them to cool, then mill them together into a fine flour. Add dried moringa leaf powder at the end, roughly one handful for every four cups of flour. Store the blend in a clean, dry container.

To cook, mix a few tablespoons of the flour with a little cold water to form a paste. Stir the paste into boiling water and cook for five to ten minutes until it thickens. Let it cool before feeding a child. You can add a small amount of palm oil or groundnut oil for extra energy. For babies just starting solids, keep the porridge thin. For older children, make it thicker.

Who Should Be Careful

Tom Brown is a food, not a medicine. A child with severe acute malnutrition, visible wasting, swelling of the feet or face, or refusal to eat needs urgent care at a health facility. Do not try to treat severe malnutrition at home. The same applies to pregnant women who are losing weight or feeling weak. They should be assessed by a health worker.

Some children may be allergic to groundnuts or soybeans. Introduce the blend gradually and watch for rashes, vomiting or difficulty breathing. If any of these occur, stop and seek medical help.

What The Wider Picture Shows

The ICRC figures arrive against a worsening national outlook. United Nations analysis cited by the organisation estimates that more than 34 million people in Nigeria will face insufficient food access in 2026, the highest figure in six years. The same analysis lists Nigeria among the world’s hunger hotspots of highest concern, alongside Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Gaza. Roughly 15 years of conflict in the northeast, combined with economic pressures and climate disruptions, have created conditions that no single programme can reverse quickly.

That is why the ICRC says its work aims not only to treat malnutrition but to strengthen community resilience. Treating a child today matters. Helping a family grow and prepare nutritious food tomorrow matters just as much.

Adding Tom Brown To A Nigerian Meal Plan

If you live in a region where these ingredients are affordable, consider making a batch of Tom Brown once a week. Serve it as breakfast or as an evening supplement for young children and nursing mothers. Pair it with whatever protein and vegetables your household can access that day. The goal is not perfection. The goal is one more nutrient-dense meal in a week that may not have many.

For families in northeast Nigeria, the next few months will test that goal. The malnutrition cases surge is not a distant statistic. It is a six-month-old twin in Mubi, a farmer confined to a small plot, and a mother learning to cook with what she has. If you are in a position to help, support organisations working on the ground. If you are feeding a child, start with what is in your kitchen.

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You wake up tired, and the culprit is noise you can’t control. Whether it’s a snoring partner, traffic, or a neighbor’s generator, sound at night can ruin your sleep. One solution people are turning to: sleep earbuds.

Right now, a top pick is $60 off. The Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 is down to $119.99 from $179.99 during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, according to Lifehacker. The newer Soundcore Sleep A30 is also at its lowest price ever: $179.99, down from $199.99.

If you’ve tried regular earbuds and woken up with sore ears, these are different. They’re designed to be worn all night. But are they right for you? Let’s break down what they do, who they help, and when noisy sleep is a medical issue.

What Sleep Earbuds Actually Do

Sleep earbuds are not the same as active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds. The Soundcore Sleep A20, for example, doesn’t use ANC. Instead, it creates a seal in your ear that naturally blocks noise. That’s how it stays small and comfortable enough to wear while side-sleeping.

In testing, the A20 fit comfortably and didn’t press against the ear when sleeping on the side, according to a Lifehacker editor who used them for over a year. They rarely fell out, and a Find Device feature helps locate a lost bud.

The A20 gives 14 hours of battery in sleep mode, which includes playing white noise or soothing sounds from the Soundcore app. In Bluetooth mode, you can listen to podcasts or music, but battery drops to eight hours. The charging case provides up to 80 hours total.

The newer A30 adds true active noise cancellation, which is better for very noisy environments. Battery life is shorter: 9 hours for white noise, 6.5 hours for Bluetooth music, and 45 hours from the case. The A30 also has a feature that blocks snoring sounds using microphones in the case, and an app-based alarm that measures sleep quality.

When Noise at Night Is a Health Problem

Occasional noise is normal. But if you regularly can’t sleep because of sound, you may be dealing with situational insomnia. That’s when outside factors—like a loud environment—keep you from falling or staying asleep.

Sleep earbuds can help by masking or blocking that noise. They are a tool, not a treatment. They don’t cure insomnia, and they don’t replace good sleep habits.

If you’re waking up gasping, snoring heavily, or feeling exhausted even after eight hours, that’s different. Those can be signs of sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. See a doctor. Sleep earbuds won’t fix those problems.

Home Care: What You Can Do Today

Before buying anything, try simple fixes. Earplugs are cheap and block noise. A white noise machine or app can mask sudden sounds. Blackout curtains and a consistent bedtime also help.

If you’ve tried those and still struggle, sleep earbuds might be worth it. The A20 is a good starting point if you want comfort and long battery life. The A30 is better if you need active noise cancellation or share a bed with a snorer.

One note: the A30’s snore-blocking feature uses microphones in the case. It’s designed to reduce snoring sounds, not eliminate them entirely. Results vary.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor if you have any of these:

You snore loudly and wake up choking or gasping.

You fall asleep during the day despite enough time in bed.

You have morning headaches or dry mouth.

You’ve had trouble sleeping for more than three nights a week for over a month.

These signs point to something deeper than noise. A doctor can check for sleep apnea, allergies, or other conditions. Treating those will do more than any earbud.

Also, if you have ear pain, drainage, or hearing loss, get checked before inserting anything into your ears. Sleep earbuds can trap moisture and worsen some ear conditions.

Are Sleep Earbuds Safe for Every Night?

For most healthy people, yes. The A20 and A30 are designed for overnight use. But hygiene matters. Clean the buds regularly, and don’t share them. If you’re prone to ear infections, talk to your doctor first.

Battery life is another factor. The A20’s 14 hours covers a full night. The A30’s 9 hours might not if you sleep longer. You can set a timer in the app to stop playback after you fall asleep.

Deal Details and What to Know

The $60 discount on the A20 is part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Prices can change quickly, and stock isn’t guaranteed. The A30 is also discounted but at a higher price.

If you’re unsure, start with the A20. It’s cheaper, has longer battery, and works well for side sleepers. If you need active noise cancellation, go for the A30.

Remember: these are tools to reduce noise, not medical devices. They won’t treat insomnia or sleep apnea. But for many people, they make a real difference.

One Key Takeaway

Sleep earbuds can help you block out noise and sleep better, but they’re not a cure for sleep problems. If noise is your only issue, the $60-off Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 is a solid, comfortable option. If you have snoring, gasping, or daytime fatigue, see a doctor. Your sleep is worth it.

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Athleticism is the new fitness flex, and it is less about how you look and more about what your body can do.

For years, the gym goal was simple: build a body that looks the part. But according to reporting from Yahoo Lifestyle, that bar has moved. With social media feeds packed with washboard abs and GLP-1-assisted weight loss, looking fit no longer proves you put in the work. What stands out now is speed, power, agility, and coordination. Guys want to sprint faster, jump higher, and move explosively, often for no other reason than the joy of moving well.

This shift is not just a trend. It is a practical way to train that can serve you for decades, whether you are 25 or 45.

What Athleticism Actually Means

Athleticism is the ability to combine physical qualities like strength, speed, power, agility, and coordination, and then use them when it matters. That definition comes from performance coach DeVentri Jordan, founder of GameFace Training, who works with NFL and NBA prospects.

Jordan told Yahoo that many guys now ask a different question: not just how their body looks, but what it can actually do. That is a big change from the old bodybuilding-first mindset.

Examples are everywhere. Biohacking entrepreneur Bryan Johnson is training to dunk. Six-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead, after retiring from bodybuilding, now posts videos of 60-inch box jumps and treadmill sprints. Fitness creator Dylan Shannon, who is built like a powerlifter, regularly posts bounding drills and max-effort sprints, and his audience has grown because people see they can be both jacked and athletic.

But Jordan warns that what looks athletic on social media is not always useful. A flashy ladder drill or a complex five-movement combo may impress, but it skips the boring work real athletes do, like assessing ankle mobility or measuring force production. If your goal is to become more athletic, Jordan’s first question is: what do you want to be able to do? Maybe you want to chase your kid without gasping, or stay on your feet as you age. That answer should shape your training.

How to Train for Athleticism (No Matter Your Age)

You do not need a college sports background to start. The key is to build a base, then add athletic qualities gradually.

Start with strength. Two or three full-body sessions per week using squats, hinges, pushes, pulls, and carries. This builds the foundation for power.

Add speed and power work twice a week. Sprints of 10 to 20 meters, box jumps, broad jumps, and medicine ball throws are simple options. Keep volume low and quality high. For example, 4 to 6 sets of 3 to 5 reps with full rest.

Do mobility work daily. Hyrox athletes often discover they lack the squat depth for wall balls, so they start taking mobility seriously. Five to ten minutes of ankle, hip, and thoracic work can unlock better movement.

Use measurable goals. The rise of competitions like Hyrox, Apex Athlete, and Life Time Games has given everyday gym-goers a reason to train athletic skills. Apex Athlete, for instance, blends a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, trap-bar deadlift, and other NFL combine-style tests. You do not need to enter a competition, but having a target like a two- to three-second box jump or a faster 40-yard dash can keep you motivated.

The Gear That Supports Athletic Training

You do not need much, but the right gear can help. Men’s Health has tested hundreds of pieces, and their picks focus on breathability, moisture-wicking, and stretch. For athletic movement, look for shorts that do not restrict your stride, like the Ten Thousand Interval shorts, which are available in lined or unlined versions and three lengths. A breathable tank like the Lululemon Metal Vent Tech singlet offers full range of motion for pull-ups and kettlebell swings.

A weighted vest can add stimulus to walks, squats, and push-ups. The Aion vest, recognized in the 2025 Men’s Health Fitness Awards, integrates compression and heat capture to increase cardiovascular demand and muscular engagement. It is not magic, but it is a tool.

For footwear, a versatile cross-training shoe like the Nike Free Metcon 7 handles lifting, conditioning, and short runs. Just know its limits: it is not built for max-effort barbell lifts or rope climbs.

Recovery matters too. Brands like Ammortal offer chambers with red light, PEMF, vibroacoustic therapy, and more, but these are expensive and not essential. Sleep, protein, and hydration are your first recovery tools.

Who Should Be Careful

If you have joint issues, heart conditions, or have been sedentary for years, get clearance from a doctor before starting sprinting or jumping. Athleticism training is scalable, but it still loads your joints and muscles. A physiotherapist or certified trainer can help you modify.

Also, be skeptical of anyone selling peptides or performance-enhancing drugs online. The Enhanced Games, a controversial event, has emphasized that enhancement should only happen under medical supervision and is not for teenagers or self-experimentation. In Nigeria, where unregulated supplements are common, stick to proven methods: training, food, and rest.

A Simple Nigerian Meal Plan for Athletic Training

You do not need imported superfoods. Build your plate around local staples.

Breakfast: Two boiled eggs, one cup of pap (akamu) with a scoop of groundnut powder, and a banana. This gives protein, carbs, and healthy fats.

Lunch: One cup of brown rice or eba with two pieces of grilled fish or chicken, one cup of efo riro (spinach stew), and a small piece of boiled plantain. Add a glass of water.

Pre-workout snack: A handful of groundnuts and one orange, or a small bowl of garden egg and groundnut paste.

Post-workout: One cup of unsweetened yoghurt with sliced banana and a tablespoon of honey, or a bowl of beans porridge with one boiled egg.

Dinner: One cup of wheat or ofada rice with grilled chicken, steamed ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), and a side of cucumber and tomato salad. Drink water.

Hydration: Aim for 2.5 to 3 litres of water daily, more on training days. If you sweat heavily, add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime to one bottle.

Supplements: If you can afford it, a basic whey protein powder can help you hit protein targets, but it is not required. Aim for 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight from food first.

Start Today

Athleticism is the new fitness flex, but it is also a practical investment in your future. You do not need to be an athlete to start. Begin at your own level, progress gradually, and make fitness part of your lifestyle. As bodybuilding coach Ambaji Bodekar told the Indian Express, your 40s are not a deadline for fitness; they are a new beginning. You may not turn back the clock, but you can change how strong, energetic, and confident you feel. Pick one athletic quality, train it twice a week, and eat to support it. That is how you build a body that moves as good as it looks.

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