Doha: Qatar University (QU) held a 'Smart Start' webinar aimed to strengthen children’s immunity through proper nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Human Nutrition at the College of Health Sciences, member of QU-HEALTH, organised the event. The programme was focused to promote healthy lifestyle that targets school children in Qatar. Likewise, it emphasised kids' nutrition, introduce parents to the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits and active lifestyle among children’s daily routine, and strategies to boost their immunity during the height of the pandemic.
In a statement, it said that due to pandemic, families have shifted their dietary and lifestyle habit. The symposium discussed several main areas including foods that support the immune system and the importance of adopting a healthy and active lifestyle to strengthen the immune system. It added that many factors can weaken the immune system such as an incomplete diet, an unorganised sleep pattern, exposure to pollution, and a lack of fresh air or sunlight.
The immune system protects the human body from pathogenic microbes such as bacteria and viruses, and learning healthy eating habits, consuming the correct diet and the development of a strong immune system that begins at a young age is crucial to deter health risks related to various diseases and their causes, including viruses.
Lecturers and Teaching Assistants at the Department of Human Nutrition emphasised the importance of including all food groups in the meal to boost immunity. The webinar provided tips to schedule meals, prepare lunch boxes, engage daily fun activities and offered specialised strategies designed to deal with picky eaters. Moreover, fun activities for kids were included in the programme.
The webinar was attended by parents, students, and school teachers and administrators.
