Nutrition: ‘Healthy babies for a healthy nation’

MPA says anorexia as worrisome as obesity, urges parents to adopt better attitudes towards health .

FAISALABAD: A healthy baby competition was organised by the Population Welfare Department in Faisalabad on Sunday.

Competitions were held in two categories between two to three-year-olds and between three-year-olds and four-year-olds.

In the first category, two-year-old Abheen took the first prize. Laiba and Afia were declared second and third respectively. In the second category, Abdullah stood first. Another Abdullah stood second and Iqra stood third.



Provincial Assembly Member (MPA) Madiha Rana was the chief guest. Population Welfare District Officer (DO) Farkhanda Almas was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana said healthy baby contests were held in many countries to promote health and nutrition.

“We must ensure that our children remain healthy,” she said. She said improving nutrition and health was a top priority of the government.

“It is unfortunate that many children in the country are malnourished,” she said. “In many instances, their families have access to food but are unaware of what is best in terms of nutrition.”

She said anorexia among children was just as worrisome as obesity.

“Healthy does not mean plump,” she said. “Parents have a powerful role in the mental and physical health of children.”

The MPA said parents should change their attitudes towards children’s health.

“This can be done by adopting better eating habits,” she said.

The MPA said many women were unaware of the effect of maternal anaemia on babies.

“A healthy mother is needed for a healthy child,” she said. She said the health of mothers and children were linked. She said awareness should be raised on the health of mother and child.

She said malnutrition could be overcome if one maintained a balanced diet. Later, the MPA distributed prizes among the winners.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2015.