Chandigarh : The Department of Dietetics, PGI along with the Chandigarh Chapter of Indian Dietetics Association organized a CME on ‘Nutrition and Current Health Challenges’ in the auditorium of The Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh on 31st March from 2.30PM to 5PM.
The Guest Speaker for the first session was Dr. Sanjay Bhadada, Assoc Prof. Deptt. Of Endocrinology PGI, Chandigarh and the session was chaired by Mrs Mridula Wattas, Dietician, PGI. Dr Sanjay Bhadada emphasised the role of diet in the management of various endocrine disorders like obesity and diabetes. He stated that every individual had specific nutritional requirements thus the need for individual diets keeping in mind their ideal body weight. The diets should not be planned according to just the calories but also keeping in mind a proper ratio of calories from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. According to Dr Bhadada, most of the endocrine disorders like obesity and type-2 diabetes and juvenile diabetes type-2 are consequence of an imbalance of nutrient intake, lifestyle pattern of the modern world. Pre and post menopausal problems are also related dietary irregularities to a large extent, osteoporosis being one o f them.
The Guest Speaker for the second session was ProfB.R Thapa, Head of the deptt. Paediatric Gastroenterology, PGI, Chandigarh. This session was chaired by Mrs. Madhu Sharma, Dietician, PGI. He spoke on the importance of correct nutrition in children. He said that the requirements for macro and micro nutrients are two to three times more in children as compared to adults. The role of breast milk as well as supplementary feeding was emphasized. Dr Thapa stated that 50% of the children suffered from feeding difficulties resulting in poor weight gain and growth retardation. The counselling of parents is very important to ensure adequate intake as well as over nutrition in the form of junk foods leading to childhood obesity. The average nutrition awareness of the general public being very poor, he stated that nutrition education is very important. He stressed on the importance a sound nutritional foundation right from childhood to prevent the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases which not long ago were considered “adult onset”.
The CME was well attended by dieticians, nutritionist and nutrition students of Chandigarh and there were active discussions in both the session. The take home message was –‘ it is very important that the right nutrition and healthy lifestyle be inculcated right from the beginning of life and continued to be followed right upto adulthood’.