Mangaluru: National Nutrition Week 2026 was observed with the theme “Nourishing Lives Through Healthy Choices” through a day-long programme aimed at promoting awareness about healthy nutrition, informed dietary choices and healthy lifestyle practices among students, healthcare professionals and the community.
The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Community Health Nursing, Father Muller College of Nursing; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; and Department of Food Science, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University). The programme featured educational competitions, nutrition exhibitions, health-promotion activities, expert sessions and intercollegiate competitions, providing participants with opportunities to explore nutrition from academic, clinical and community perspectives.
The programme sought to promote awareness regarding healthy nutrition and lifestyle practices, encourage creativity and innovation among students, strengthen interprofessional collaboration in health promotion and foster greater community engagement in nutrition and wellness initiatives.
Inaugural Function
The inaugural function was held at 11:00 a.m. Dr Sonia K. L. Sequera, Organising Chairperson, Father Muller College of Nursing, delivered the welcome address and Dr Daniella Anne L. Chyne, Organising Co-Chairperson, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) introduced the Chief Guest, Dr Sushma Appaiah, M.Sc., Ph.D., Founder Director, Golz Nutrition & Diet Solutions; Certified Nutrigenomics Expert; and Convener, Indian Dietetics Association (IDA), Mysuru Chapter.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Sushma Appaiah highlighted the important role of young nutrition professionals and students as nation-builders. She emphasised the need for different disciplines and approaches to converge towards better health outcomes and stronger communities. Referring to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India, she stressed the enormous challenges facing the country and called upon students to explore emerging opportunities in nutrition, including start-ups, enterprises, precision nutrition and nutrigenomics. She urged the younger generation to recognise the significant role they could play in addressing India’s nutritional challenges.
The prize distribution for the school competitions followed the keynote address.
In his presidential address, Rev. Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ, Vice Chancellor, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), spoke about emerging areas of nutrition research, particularly nutrinomics and proteomics. He observed that advances in nutrition science could eventually enable personalised nutrition plans designed to meet individual requirements. He also highlighted the potential of scientific advances in nutrition to contribute towards reducing the carbon burden and mitigating the impact of climate change on crops and different geographical regions.
Rev. Fr Dr Praveen Martis SJ encouraged students to pursue research within their respective fields and use knowledge and innovation as tools to address hunger and malnutrition. He reflected on the different dimensions of hunger, emphasising the need to address both the basic nutritional requirements of the underprivileged and the growing demand for healthier and more appropriate nutrition among affluent populations.
Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, in his presidential address, reflected on the deeper significance of food and nutrition. He observed that food contributes not only to physical strength but also to the development of knowledge and wellbeing. Emphasising the importance of the dining table as a place of communication, satisfaction, joy and peace, he noted that the quality of food placed on the table is equally important.
He urged budding nutritionists to look beyond food alone and focus on the individual, the nation and the world as a whole, with the larger goal of ensuring that everyone has access not merely to food, but to adequate and meaningful nutrition. He also reminded the gathering that, despite the many demands placed upon modern society, greater attention must be given to nutrition and holistic wellbeing.
The inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks by Ms Sandis Joseph, Organising Co-Chairperson, FMMCH, followed by the institutional anthem.
Dignitaries Present
The other dignitaries present on the dais were Rev. Fr Dr Michael Santhumayor, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College, Father Muller College of Allied Health Sciences and Father Muller College of Pharmacy; Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; Rev. Sr Dr Dhanya Devasia, Principal, Father Muller College of Nursing; Dr Renita Maria D’Souza, Dean, School of Life Sciences, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University); Dr Shycil Mathew, Organising Secretary, Father Muller College of Nursing, along with members of the faculty and guests, were present.
Competitions and Exhibitions
The afternoon session featured a range of intercollegiate competitions for healthcare professional students and students of the Centre for Nutritional Studies. These included a Reel Making Competition on the theme “Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle” and a Nutrition Quiz Competition.
The programme also included competitions for school students in different categories. Students participated in Poster Making, Healthy Tiffin Recipe Preparation, Model Preparation, Cooking Without Fire, and Vegetable and Fruit Carving competitions.
A Nutrition Stall Exhibition was held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring student exhibits on nutrition education, healthy lifestyle promotion, nutrition assessment and counselling demonstrations. Industry exhibits showcased nutritional products, healthy food demonstrations, and awareness and information booths.
Winners of the Competitions
Poster Competition – Higher Primary Category
· First Prize: Likith & Thanushree – St. Joseph Higher Primary School
· Second Prize: Jhilam Ganguly & Diganth – Lourdes Central School
· Third Prize: Karen Fiona & Nehal Pearl – Ladyhill School
Vegetable and Fruit Carving – High School Category
· First Prize: Soha Suvarna & Akshara – Lourdes Central School
· Second Prize: Sparta Avani & Chrissy Merlin D’Souza – Ladyhill School
· Third Prize: Krithika Ganesh & Hanaa Abdul – Ladyhill School
Healthy Tiffin – Higher Primary Category
· First Prize: Malvida Posiva & Nikhil – St. Joseph’s Primary School, Kulshekar
· Second Prize: Vanyasri M.C. & Donitha – St. Rita’s English Medium School, Jeppu
· Third Prize: Gresa Prashika & Shravya – Lourdes Central School, Bejai
Cooking Without Fire
First Prize:
· Shinal BS Dechamma & Tanishka Singh – Lourdes Central School, Bejai
· Reesh Abdul & Adnan – St. Sebastian English Medium School, Permannur
Second Prize:
· Yashika & Vaishnavi – St. Rita’s English Medium School, Jeppu
· Ganavi Nayak & Mazilla Monterio – St. Sebastian English Medium School, Permannur
Third Prize:
· Chithrali Tejpal & Safina S – Padua High School
· Thoufeeq & Abdul Jallel – Milagres Central School
Intercollegiate Competitions
Nutrition Quiz Competition
· First Prize: Rimsha Zainab M.A., Haleema Hiba & Reya V.K. – St Aloysius College
· Second Prize: Melony Minol D’Silva, Melissa Noronha & Melwy Marin Minu – Father Muller College of Nursing, II B.Sc.
· Third Prize: Anu Riya Bijo, Aney Benny & Daya Maria Vincent – Father Muller College of Nursing, I B.Sc.
Intercollegiate Food Exhibition Competition
· First Prize: Johan & Team – Father Muller College of Nursing, I B.Sc., B Section
· Second Prize: Angel Thomas & Team – Father Muller College of Nursing, I B.Sc., A Section
· Third Prize: Elain & Team – Father Muller College of Nursing, I B.Sc., A Section
The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation, with 36 entries in the Quiz Competition, 18 in Reel Making, 19 in Poster Making, 7 in Healthy Tiffin, 41 in Cooking Without Fire, and 7 in Fruit and Vegetable Carving.
Valedictory Function
The day-long programme concluded with the Valedictory Function and Prize Distribution Ceremony, which included the presentation of the programme report, distribution of prizes for the intercollegiate competitions, presidential remarks, vote of thanks and the National Anthem.
The event served as a platform for students and professionals from different disciplines to come together and recognise the importance of nutrition in disease prevention, health promotion and sustainable development.
The programme also reinforced the need for greater attention to nutrition in India, particularly in view of the country’s significant burden of non-communicable diseases. The organisers emphasised that nutrition education, research, innovation and community-level interventions are essential to building a healthier population.
The message of the programme was clear: better nutrition is the foundation of better health, and informed food choices today can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.
