WGSHA conducted a 3-day Workshop on “Techniques and Methods of Nutritional assessment” by inviting resource persons Dr. N Aralappa, Mr. Sree Ramakrishna, and Ms. Neeraja from the prestigious National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad. The workshop began with an inaugural address by the In Charge Principal, Dr. Rajshekhar Philkhana, and Ms. Pallavi MS - coordinator (DAN), who shared the program overview and schedule.
The event was moderated by Ms Ninette, Ms. Rishika, Ms Sakshi and Ms Keerthi of 1st year MSc DAN.
The first day of the workshop covered a broad spectrum of nutrition-related topics, starting with foundational concepts like the Minimum Acceptance Diet (MAD), malnutrition, the Triple Burden of Malnutrition, and Hidden Hunger, along with clinical signs and symptoms for identifying nutritional deficiencies. Various dietary survey methods, including Food Balance Sheets, 24-hour Recall, and Weighment, were discussed, analyzing their pros and cons.
After the session on these methods on 20th March 2025, students received practical training for 2 days (21st and 22nd March 2025) in the field by visiting Anganwadi with a hands-on experience on anthropometric measurement techniques of using a stadiometer, digital scale, skin fold caliper etc for infants, pre-schoolers and school going children followed by a visit to houses nearby to learn the techniques of capturing the dietary intake using standard methods.
The afternoon session on 21st March 2025 focused on a balanced diet for Indians, acceptable macronutrient distribution, and my plate concept. Later, the ICMR household survey?was discussed, gathering key information on demographics, living conditions, sanitation, and nutrition access,?essential for designing effective nutritional policies and guidelines. The household demographic data collection tool was also discussed.
The afternoon’s session on 22nd March 2025 focused on the WHO child growth standards for different age groups, calculation of Z scores, anthropometric indices, BMI classification for Asians and nutritional biomarkers.
The workshop was concluded with a valedictory function.?All the participants received a certificate of Participation. Department faculty Ms. Swathi Acharya, Dr. Namratha Pai K Ms. Chhaya K, Ms. Chaitra Udapudi, and Dr. Anusha Priyadarshini coordinated the entire workshop.