Group photo of participants for Nutrition Week 1.0 with guest speakers

Pilates Workout session with trainers

Student’s project about anaemia

Student’s project about sugar level in our drinks

Faculty of Applied Science Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Lionel In Lian Aun giving his opening speech for Nutrition Week 1.0 forum

From left, Adibah Zakaria, Aaron Ang Aun Yuan, Karen Ngooi and NUSA Club Advisor, Assistant Professor Dr Serene Tung En Hui as the moderator

Participants reading about malnutrition in Malaysia

High- Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) by the trainer

Nutrition quiz challenge happening

Health issues in Malaysia are increasing in number especially in terms of malnutrition. The public is not well-informed about the effect of malnutrition on future generations. Often, people focus on the under-nutrition section; but over-nutrition is also a part of the malnutrition.

Currently, Malaysia is mapped together with countries often associated with malnutrition among such as Syria, South Africa and Sudan.

In light to this, the Nutrition Student Association (NUSA) of UCSI University recently organised a nutrition forum entitled “Triple Burden” in line with the three-day event “Nutrition Week 1.0 – Unlock Your Health 2019”.

The event emphasised malnutrition in Malaysia. Inspired by various current health issues, the forum was conducted at the foyer of Block G, UCSI University.

The forum was moderated by NUSA Club Advisor, Assistant Professor Dr Serene Tung En Hui together with guest speakers including Nutrition Officer at Ministry of Health, Adibah Zakaria, Health and Nutrition Officer of World Vision Malaysia, Ms. Karen Ngooi and Operation Manager cum Dietitian at MediFoods Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Aaron Ang Aun Yuan.

The forum conducted were also in line with SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being and started with explanation from Ngooi quoting the 2018 Global Nutrition Report which stated that Malaysian children are actually suffering from stunting due to malnutrition.

In fact, she said that even the rich children who are provided with sufficient meals per day are suffering from malnutrition.

“It is very important that we understand how serious the stunting of children in Malaysia is, and all of this happens because of poor nutrition. Not just that, the sad part is the stunted children are normally under the age of five and are increasing in numbers.” she added.

Organising chairperson of Nutrition Week 1.0, Beledees Lavarous Lim stated that it is important to address and educate UCSI students on malnutrition.

“Although we think that we are eating well and giving sufficient nutrition for our body, that is only our perception. It doesn’t mean that if we eat in bigger portion, we are getting sufficient nutrients for our body. This can lead to micro-nutrient deficiency.”

“We are actually not well-informed about the nutrition that we are getting for our body but through this forum, I hope that we can be more aware and take good care of our health.” she said.

“We also have fun activities organised such as Pilates workout, the High Intensive Interval Training (HIIT), a one-day kid’s nutrition camp, quizzes and a nutrition exhibition to encourage students to participate. I hope with these small efforts that we are doing to educate the students of UCSI in regards to health, they will be interested to understand and learn more about it.”

When asked about her future expectation, Beledees hopes that such forums will continue to be held so that the students will be aware of the importance of having sufficient nutrition. She also hopes that in future, they would be able to collaborate with top organisations and the forum can be conducted on a larger scale with a bigger target audience.

Nutrition Week 1.0 was officiated by the Faculty of Applied Science dean, Associate Professor Dr. Lionel In Lian Aun.