Promoting Healthy Nutrition

Promoting Healthy Nutrition

Today, a Public Forum titled "Youth Nutrition – Challenges of the Modern Era" was held, organized by and hosted at the Agromediterranean Faculty of the Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar. The idea behind organizing this forum stemmed from a survey conducted by students of the Nutrition program, aiming to explore the dietary habits of their peers, as well as those of students in other faculties of the Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar. In order to better interpret the results and provide possible recommendations, the panelists for this forum included one of the most renowned nutritionists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amela Ivković O'Reilly, a master of nutrition Vlatka Živkušić, and associate professor Dr. Aida Šukalić, who is a professor in the Nutrition program. The moderator of the public forum was Sara Kazazić, a Business Informatics student. High school seniors and students from the Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar attended the event.

Dean of the Agromediterranean Faculty at the Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar, Associate Professor Alisa Hadžiabulić, welcomed the attendees by emphasizing that nutrition is a relatively new scientific field representing applied natural science concerning food and its effects on the human body. Today, nutritionists play an increasingly significant role in shaping dietary habits and preserving individual and community health. Recognizing society's need, the Agromediterranean Faculty introduced this study program with the intention to play a significant role in promoting healthful food consumption and production. In line with this initiative, the Biotechnology study program has been modernized with specializations in Plant Production, Ecological Agriculture, and IT in Agriculture.

Associate Professor Aida Šukalić, the subject professor in the Nutrition program, highlighted that by initiating this research, Nutrition students further emphasized their dedication to promoting healthy dietary habits within the student community. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of students' dietary habits, their awareness of their own nutrition, and the influence of their environment and unhealthy habits on their diet. It was noticed that the dietary habits of young people, especially students, play a crucial role in forming long-term health habits. The goal was to identify potential challenges students face regarding nutrition and to provide guidance and recommendations to improve these habits and encourage a healthier lifestyle among students.

Panelists emphasized that the results of this research will be beneficial for making informed decisions and developing programs that support healthy nutrition and well-being of students at the Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar. They also expressed the intention to increase awareness of the importance of healthy nutrition among high school students to contribute to spreading information and promoting understanding of the significance of maintaining healthy dietary habits from an early age. From the public forum, organizers conveyed a message that the issue of student nutrition is prevalent and that improper nutrition poses a threat to youth health. Panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining proper dietary habits for young people, including regular, moderate, diverse, and balanced eating, not excluding any food groups from the diet, engaging in sports, not succumbing to attractive current social standards related to appearance, learning to accept one's body image, developing self-esteem and stress resilience, and surrounding oneself with people who serve as positive examples and support. It was also concluded that proper nutrition in youth is a prerequisite for proper development and serves as a solid foundation for the physical and mental health of young people. Additionally, the Nutrition students produced a brochure titled "Recommendations for Student Nutrition." The financial support for the realization of this forum and the creation of the brochure, distributed to all participants, was provided by BH Telecom d.d. Sarajevo - Directorate Mostar, and we extend our gratitude to them for their assistance in implementing this activity. The forum concluded with Hippocrates' quote "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."