Hyderabad: Ranga Reddy District Collector C. Narayana Reddy on Monday stressed the importance of healthy food habits during a nutrition awareness programme organised as part of the women’s festival celebrations.
The programme was conducted at the Integrated District Offices Complex under the supervision of the Women Development and Child Welfare Department as part of the Prajapalana Pragathi Pranalika 99-day action plan.
The Collector attended the Nutrition Mission programme along with Additional Collector Kiranmayi.
During the event, the Collector visited stalls displaying nutritious food items prepared by different projects across the district. He tasted several food products and appreciated the quality of the preparations.
He directed officials to provide similar nutritious food to pregnant women through Anganwadi centres.
Nutrition awareness programme highlights healthy food habits
Addressing the gathering, the Collector said weekly theme-based programmes had been conducted successfully since March 6 under the 99-day action plan.
He urged officials and staff at all levels to work collectively to make the women’s festival programmes successful.
The Collector said people could protect themselves from diseases by consuming quality food and maintaining healthy eating habits.
He also advised people to consume organically grown food products.
Narayana Reddy directed Anganwadi teachers to create awareness among rural women about the benefits of nutritious food.
He said the government was supplying fortified and nutritious food to pregnant women and children through Anganwadi centres under child welfare schemes.
According to officials, the nutrition awareness programme was organised to educate both the public and government officials about healthy food practices.
Nutrition awareness programme includes food exhibitions
Additional Collector Kiranmayi said people should maintain good health by consuming quality food regularly.
As part of the women’s festival celebrations, officials organised nutrition food exhibitions and cooking competitions involving Anganwadi beneficiaries and parents.
Supervisors and Anganwadi teachers displayed stalls featuring millet-based foods, pulses, vegetables and fruits while spreading awareness about nutrition.
Charts explaining the harmful effects of junk food and the benefits of nutritious food were also displayed during the programme.
With support from the Health Department, officials conducted anaemia tests for pregnant women, lactating mothers and adolescent girls.
Iron and folic acid tablets were distributed to pregnant and lactating women during the programme.
The Collector also distributed prizes to winners of the cooking competitions.
District Revenue Officer Sharada, DRDO and DWO Project Director Srilatha, CPO Soumya, GM Industries Srilakshmi, Adult Education Deputy Director Anita, PD MEPMA, CDPO Shanthi Kumari, supervisors, Anganwadi teachers and department staff attended the programme.