At the concluding celebrations of the National Nutrition Month, the Department of Food and Nutrition of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized a nutrition awareness programme for school children at the Government Senior Secondary School, village Dadhahoor, tehsil Raikot. A poster making competition on personal and environmental sanitation, and quiz competition on nutrition and health were also organized for school children. The programme saw the participation of 150 school children.
Dr Kiran Grover, Head, Department of Food and Nutrition, said: “School age is the most crucial stage as body prepares itself to store nutrients for rapid adolescence growth. So nutrition education is essential for school children as it promotes healthy food choices and eating habits, prevents diseases, boosts academic and sports performance, builds lifelong skills and fosters a healthy lifestyle for their overall well-being.”
Dr Harpreet Kaur, Professor, Food and Nutrition, delivered a key message to school children regarding “Body Building Foods – Energy Foods – Protective Foods”. “Protein-rich foods hold the most important place in children’s diet as these foods promote growth and muscle development. These foods also contain other useful vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids which are vital for improving academic performance of school children,” she added.
Dr Monika Choudhary, Scientist, Department of Food and Nutrition, deliberated on “Significance of five major food groups in daily diet”. Eat something from each food group every day, she emphasized. Expert further added that balanced diet, personal hygiene and sanitation were important keys to physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Later, prizes were distributed among the winners of competition. Fruit plants of karonda and loquat were also distributed. The school Principal Mr Santokh Singh Gill and other teachers provided all support for making the event a grand success.
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