Tarih: 07.12.2024
“Symposium on Healthy Nutrition and Food Safety in School Age Children”, organized in cooperation with Lokman Hekim University, Education and Change Association (E-DER), 29 May Schools and Health and Life Association (SAYADER), was held at Lokman Hekim University on 7 December 2024. The event, which was organized to support the healthy development of children and raise awareness throughout the society, was held with a wide participation and valuable contributions of experts.
The symposium started with the meaningful words of Dr. Mehmet Altuğ, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lokman Hekim University. “It is the duty of all of us to guide our children, to whom we will entrust our future, in the right way in order to raise them as healthy individuals.” said Dr. Altuğ and drew attention to the importance of the symposium in terms of social responsibility. Adem Doğan, General Manager of 29 Mayıs Schools, said, “Education should be a process in which not only knowledge but also healthy life skills are acquired. Today, we are talking about ways to build a healthier future for our children.” He emphasized the impact of education on healthy life.
Ali Kocadayı, President of the Education and Change Association, said: “The nutritional habits acquired in childhood affect the whole life of individuals. Today, we are taking an important step that will contribute to their future.” and emphasized the long-term effects of the symposium. Dr. Meral Garip, Vice President of the Health and Life Association, said: “Raising healthy generations is possible with conscious parents and strong education systems. It is the duty of all of us to protect and support our children.”
In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin, Rector of Lokman Hekim University, drew attention to the social impact of the symposium by saying, “Our symposium is not only an academic event; it is also a valuable step towards building a healthy society.”
Concrete Steps for Child Health
The event featured four important sessions aimed at raising public awareness on child health and food safety. While emphasizing the importance of adequate and balanced nutrition for the healthy development of children, guiding information was presented for parents and educators in the light of expert opinions. The effects of childhood eating habits on long-term health were discussed and concrete recommendations were shared to encourage healthy habits.
The necessity of ensuring food safety in schools and the measures to be taken for this were discussed in detail. The importance of creating safe nutrition environments in schools, one of the areas where children spend the most time, was emphasized. In addition, the effects of digital media and advertisements on children's eating habits were evaluated and information was presented to raise awareness among parents and educators.
The symposium also brought together experts working in the field of child nutrition and food safety to share scientific knowledge. These exchanges provided a basis for new research and projects and contributed to taking concrete steps towards the future.
At the event, Prof. Dr. Ayla Gülden Pekcan, Prof. Dr. Emine Nilüfer Pembecioğlu, Prof. Dr. Hasan Hüseyin Kara, Prof. Dr. Nazan Aktaş, Prof. Dr. Nesrin Ceylan, Prof. Dr. Nurcan Yabancı Ayhan, Prof. Dr. Selim Dereci, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Deligöz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dağ, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Metin Yiğit, Dr. Gizem Gencan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökçen Doğan, Dr. Sümeyye Karabekiroğlu, Gülcan Kılınç and Özkan Avcı contributed with their scientific and practical approaches.
This valuable event, hosted by Lokman Hekim University, succeeded in creating an important awareness in order to raise healthy individuals. We would like to thank all the speakers and participants who contributed to the symposium and the institutions that contributed to the organization. We believe that such events prepare an important ground for raising more conscious and healthy generations for the future. As Lokman Hekim University, we will stand by individuals, institutions and organizations in all matters concerning the society, especially in the field of education and health.
