5 minute read
Opportunities for Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing amidst adversity
from You-wA-H
by schoolindia
Webinar 6
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With the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, United Nations’ State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, forecasts that the coronavirus could push over 132 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020. This figure will be over and above the existing 690 million undernourished people, the study says. Covid-19 pandemic has left much room for discussion on the state of nutrition and public health for India’s children.
Under National Nutrition Week 2020, SHARP NGO conducted a panel discussion on “COVID-19 through MOC (Missed Opportunities Cognizant) mindset: Opportunities for Nutrition, Health and Wellbeing amidst adversity.” The webinar aims to discuss: • Effects on Nutrition status during pandemic times • Impact & Management of nutritional intake of Adolescents • Role of Schools and ways to ensure proper nutrition of students for their wellbeing and good health By our eminent panel:
DR. PULKIT MATHUR - Asst. Professor, Dept. of food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College (University of Delhi) & Convenor, Nutrition Society of India – Delhi Chapter
DR. SMRITI PAHWA Author & Senior Consultant with Government of Delhi, ASER (Pratham Education), Evidence Action, Arogya World and World Bank
MS. VINEETA YADAV Principal, Gyan Devi Public School, Gurugam
KEY TAKEAWAYS
HEALTH RISKS • Due to the ongoing pandemic, the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular problems and hypertension have increased among adolescents. The nutrient intake is inadequate, the consumption of junk food has increased and the lack of physical activities has contributed to undernourished growth of adolescents. Every adolescent is found to have at least one micronutrient deficiency. • The shift to virtual forms of teaching has added on to the stress and nobody was trained for it. It is affecting our bodies physically and psychologically. • Research shows a spike in NCDs and malnutrition while we are focusing on the
COVID19 pandemic.
DIETARY HABITS • Nutritionists request adolescents to know the nutritional information of the food they consume and learn to cook the most minimal food items so that they don’t have to constantly rely on their parents for nutrient rich food. • A nutrient rich diet includes 3 main meals, 2 nutritious snacks; where each meal consists of one item from energy giving, body building and protective foods. • Iron-folic supplements must be consumed weekly & processed goods with high fat, salt and sugar content must be limited. • Staying hydrated is as important as a nutritious diet. • It is vital we are cognizant of our urges; if we indulge in unhealthy food today, we must make sure that we avoid it tomorrow. • Nutritionists discourage stocking unhealthy food at home under the pretext of it being snacks, since our eating habits are influenced by our home-food environment. If junk food is readily available at home then adolescents will reach out for a packet of chips over a banana.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Different types of oils should be used for different types of cooking.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED • Lifestyle changes need to be brought about for a better and healthier emotional and cognitive development. • While taking classes, students should shut off their webcams and only listen with full concentration to reduce eye fatigue. • It is time we do something to bring in a design change. Appointing a child to keep a check on the food consumed in a day by all the family members would engage children, help them learn the importance of balanced diets and would promote the idea of nutrition monitoring.
ROLE OF SCHOOLS TO MANAGE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ADOLESCENTS • Sufficient breaks must be given between the classes where students can have their meals and stretch. They must always be mindful of their posture. • Schools could get rid of the canteen system and allow parents to deliver food to their wards during the lunch break so that they can have a warm and nutritious meal. • A nutrition monitor can check the content of lunch boxes and then conduct counseling sessions to share knowledge on the importance of nutritious foods. • The school health program has health and wellness coordinators who will be conducting sessions on the importance of health and well-being with students and parents. • The teaching process needs to be changed to make students imbibe what they have learnt and adopt it as a lifestyle.
COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST MALNUTRITION • Despite the adversity COVID19 has set in the world, the MOC mindset can bring certain opportunities specifically in the field of nutrition and lifestyle management. • The Poshan Maah is promoting the concept of Nutri-Gardens, which is growing your own fruits and vegetables. A lot of people lack the space required but a lot of new techniques are coming up to help grow organic fruits and vegetables or a community garden can be accessed to grow fruits and vegetables that could be used by all the neighbors. • Unless a need is created among the masses about the importance of healthy living, the introduction of the nutrition module by the government will not be fruitful.
SURVEY FINDINGS
84.5% feel the need for introducing “nutrition cards” just like report cards in schools. Approximately 57% of the population is aware of the Poshan Abhiyaan launched by the Government of India 87% of the survey participants agreed that adolescents have missed out on nutrition and well-being opportunities due to Covid-19 imposed lockdown 52.6% of the audience believes that not enough media attention was given to the midday meal crisis during the lockdown 93% population wishes for schools to conduct sessions to help improve the knowledge of parents and adolescents on nutrition and health related issues. 87% of the population think dietary patterns of families have long term impact on nutritional parameters.
