News

Written by: Mie Mohamed Reda
Photography: Ahmed Magdy

As part of its role in promoting health and community awareness, and its commitment to fostering the principles of disease prevention from an early age, the Theodore Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) organized an educational and awareness day to coincide with the beginning of the new academic year, under the title “School Nutrition… Toward a More Aware and Healthier Generation.” The event was held under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Acting Director of the Institute and Chairman of the Board, and was organized by the Institute’s Clinical Nutrition Unit.

The awareness day aimed to promote awareness of the importance of healthy nutrition during the school years and to introduce healthy dietary habits that contribute to children’s growth, support their immunity, and enhance their ability to concentrate and learn. It also sought to help families adopt simple, balanced, and practical nutritional practices that can be incorporated into everyday life.

The event addressed a range of important topics related to child health and nutrition. The sessions were delivered by Dr. Marwa Abdel Ghany, Deputy Supervisor of the Clinical Nutrition Unit; Dr. Amal Mohamed Bilal; and Dr. Nouran Magdy El-Akkad, members of the Clinical Nutrition Unit. They highlighted key principles that can help families establish healthy dietary and lifestyle habits in children, emphasizing that a child’s health is the outcome of an integrated system of sound nutritional and healthy practices. They also stressed that prevention begins with awareness, while the healthy habits children develop today form the foundation for a healthier life in the future.

The sessions emphasized the importance of a healthy breakfast, adequate sleep, and maintaining a balanced daily routine that allows time for studying, rest, and physical activity. They also covered the principles of preparing a healthy, balanced, and safe lunch box, with particular attention to proper food storage and the cleanliness of food containers and utensils.

The sessions also addressed the components of a healthy plate and the importance of dietary variety, including vegetables, fruits, sources of protein, and whole grains. Children were encouraged to consume a diverse range of foods and to rely on home-prepared meals and affordable, nutrient-rich alternatives, such as beans, eggs, legumes, vegetables, and seasonal fruits. The importance of regular water intake and limiting soft drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages was also highlighted, along with reducing the consumption of fast food, fried and processed foods, and excessive amounts of sugar. The sessions further encouraged choosing healthy, school-friendly snacks, such as fruits, vegetables, and yogurt.

The awareness messages also extended to the importance of physical activity, reducing prolonged sitting and screen time, maintaining good oral hygiene, washing hands, and following food safety practices. Participants were also encouraged to pay attention to early signs that may indicate a health or nutritional problem in children.

The sessions further highlighted the role of the family in developing a healthy and balanced relationship between children and food through encouragement, participation, and positive role modeling, while avoiding pressure or using food as a form of punishment. The event also raised awareness of how to safely manage food allergies and emphasized the importance of informing schools about foods that children should avoid.

The awareness day featured an engaging interactive activity in which children from the Institute’s nursery participated in preparing a healthy snack themselves using peanuts, dates, and peanut butter. The hands-on experience aimed to simplify the concept of healthy eating for children, encourage their participation in preparing their own food choices, and introduce healthier alternatives in a fun and enjoyable way.

In this context, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz emphasized that caring for children’s health should not begin only when a health problem arises; rather, it begins with building awareness, promoting prevention, and establishing healthy habits from the earliest years. He noted that balanced nutrition is one of the key elements in helping children grow, learn, and lead healthy lives.

He further pointed out that, alongside its research and medical roles, the Institute is committed to utilizing its scientific and medical expertise in serving the community and disseminating health knowledge in a simple and practical manner. He emphasized that investing in the health awareness of children and their families is a direct investment in the health of future generations, and that building a healthier society begins with the simple daily habits we instill in children at home and at school.

Through such awareness activities, the Theodore Bilharz Research Institute reaffirms its commitment to its community role and to strengthening partnership with families in supporting children’s health. This commitment stems from the Institute’s belief that healthy nutrition today means a stronger, more aware generation, better equipped to learn and contribute tomorrow.