Parents don’t pay attention to food habits of children: experts

Need stressed to create awareness about balanced use of food

FAISALABAD: It is a matter of grave concern that majority of school-going, college and university students do not have a breakfast, affecting their physical, mental growth and abilities.

This was said by University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar while addressing a seminar titled “Home Economics to Home Sciences” arranged by Institute of Home Sciences, UAF at New Senate Hall.

He said that parents don’t pay attention to food habits of children. “The children prefer junk food, bakery items and soft drinks etc than homemade food,” he added. The VC maintained that junk food was not good for health. “Education about nutritive and balanced food will help overcome the issue,” he opined.

The vice-chancellor called for food fortification to address the issue of malnutrition and food insecurity.  He said despite having plenty of food, we were facing malnutrition crisis. He urged people to use balance use of diet and to adopt physical activities in their daily lives.

While speaking on the occasion, National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology Director General Dr Tahir Zahoor said that with low investment, women could become entrepreneur by selling their food in offices etc.

He said that the women must keep the nutrition aspect of the food in their mind before serving to their families.

He said, “It is need of the hour to educate people about balanced usage of diet and healthy lifestyle.”

Zahoor pointed out that according to National Nutrition Survey, women and children were facing massive nutrient deficiencies.

Home Sciences Incharge Dr Ayesha Riaz said, “At least 51% women are anaemic, 47% suffer from zinc deficiency, 46% from vitamin A deficiency and 68% from vitamin D deficiency.”

She urged the women to excel their entrepreneur skills to become a job provider rather than seekers. She said that women could earn more money in food and designing industry.

Dr Gazala Pervaiz from College of Home Sciences Lahore stressed upon women to learn skills of business management and entrepreneurship to play their key role in socioe-conomic development of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2018.