Dr. Nahla Hwalla, President of LANFS and Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) hopes “that such collective efforts would contribute to more effective action on the part of nutrition professionals, and better awareness on the part of parents to ensure healthier growth and development for children around the region.”

Nutritional aspects of bone health in children, and challenges and recommendations for attaining optimal bone growth were two topics brought forward by Dr. Susan Lanham-New, Reader in Nutrition at the University of Surrey, UK. Dr. Lanham-New emphasized in her presentations the crucial nutritional influence on achieving peak bone mass and ensuring strong bones, on which she has extensive, internationally recognized research expertise.

“There is good scientific evidence that shows the importance of nutrition and physical activity during childhood in developing healthy bones. Bone mass increases linearly through this period of growth and it is therefore considered a critical time for bone health,” said Dr. Lanham-New. “Studies have also shown an association between higher Calcium intake and increased bone mineral status, with the effect greatest in the early stages of life.”

The conference recommended that public officials, schools and families must work together to achieve interventions in preventing obesity. Schools should also provide nutritional education from preschool through high school and children should also be engaged in one hour of physical activity on a regular basis.