RAWALPINDI: The National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) has taken an initiative to impart nutrition education sessions to schoolchildren in the twin cities in its drive for creating awareness to help improve their health as 40.2pc of children in Pakistan are suffering from stunted growth.

This was highlighted by the head of NUMS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Dr Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmed here on Sunday.

Realising the dire state of nutrition indicators in Pakistan and the importance of spreading awareness about nutrition education at the grassroots level, the department started education sessions at different schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

These sessions were held at Roots International School, the Great Maple School, United Charter School, the International School System, and SLS Montessori School and College (PWD), where NUMS’ nutrition experts gave lessons for two days to students on the topics ‘Importance of Breakfast’ and ‘Healthy Eating: The Concept of My Plate’.

These educational sessions were conducted in accordance with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2) (zero hunger), SDG-3 (good health and well-being) and SDG-4 (quality education). NUMS Department of Nutrition and Dietetics aims to continue conducting such training sessions in various schools in the twin cities.

According to the National Nutrition Survey of Pakistan 2018-19, 40.2pc of children in Pakistan are stunted (lower height for age), 17.7pc suffer from wasting (lower weight for height), 28.9pc are underweight (lower weight for age) while 9.5pc are overweight.

These indicators call for immediate interventions to bring about a long-term change in the eating habits and dietary choices of people at large.

During the NUMS educational nutrition sessions, school children were explained through videos, the difference between healthy and junk foods. They were told about how the consumption of healthy and junk food affects their health.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2023