1st Inaugural Meeting of the Academic & Research Committee – PNDS
Strengthening Nutrition Research and Practice Across Pakistan
The 1st Inaugural Meeting of the Academic & Research Committee of PNDS brought together nutrition professionals, academics, researchers, and dietitians to discuss key nutrition challenges across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, and Islamabad, with particular discussions from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Karachi, and other regions.
Key Discussions
The committee discussed region-specific nutrition challenges, including:
- Punjab – Lahore, Faisalabad & Multan: Malnutrition, obesity, unhealthy dietary patterns, micronutrient deficiencies, and gaps in nutrition awareness and services.
- Sindh – Karachi & other areas: Food insecurity, maternal and child nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and limited access to nutrition services.
- KPK: Maternal and child nutrition, food insecurity, micronutrient deficiencies, and the need for community-based nutrition interventions.
- Balochistan: Food insecurity, maternal and child malnutrition, limited healthcare access, and the need for stronger nutrition programs.
- Islamabad: Lifestyle-related nutrition issues, obesity, non-communicable diseases, and the importance of preventive nutrition and research.
Proposed Solutions
The meeting emphasized:
- Strengthening nutrition education and community awareness.
- Improving nutrition screening, counseling, and referral services.
- Encouraging province- and city-specific nutrition research.
- Promoting collaboration among universities, hospitals, researchers, and communities.
- Developing multicenter research projects across Pakistan.
- Translating research evidence into practical nutrition interventions and policies.
Way Forward
The Academic & Research Committee aims to strengthen research, academic collaboration, professional capacity building, and evidence-based nutrition practice across Pakistan through collaborative research, seminars, workshops, training programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Conclusion
The inaugural meeting marked an important step toward building a strong national academic and research network to identify regional nutrition challenges and develop sustainable, evidence-based solutions for improved nutrition and health outcomes across Pakistan.