Report on National Nutrition Week 2026 - Awareness Program

In observance of National Nutrition Week 2026, the fifth-semester BSc Nursing students, in collaboration with the Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), MAHE, Manipal, organized a nutrition awareness program at Government PU College, Palli, on 7 September 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The program aimed to raise awareness among students about the importance of a balanced diet, adequate nutrition, and healthy eating habits. It also supported Sustainable Development Goal 2—Zero Hunger and Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Well-being.

Ms. Princiya, a fifth-semester BSc Nursing student and Master of Ceremony, welcomed the gathering and introduced the MCON students and faculty members. The program began with a prayer song presented by Ms. Lavisha, Ms. Jenisha, and Ms. Princiya, creating a positive and cheerful atmosphere.

The dignitaries included Mr. Rajesh Nayak, Headmaster, Government High School, Palli; Mr. Manjappa, Principal, Government PU College, Palli; Mrs. Manjula, Assistant Professor–Senior Scale, Mrs. Surekha, Lecturer, and Mrs. Kavya, Lecturer, MCON, MAHE, Manipal. Ms. Kuenga and Mr. Leander were welcomed as student representatives.

Ms. Lavisha delivered the welcome address, following which roses were presented to the dignitaries as a gesture of respect and appreciation. Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Manjula spoke about the significance of National Nutrition Week and explained the theme, “Power Your Day with Nutrition.” She emphasized the importance of adopting healthy eating habits and consuming a balanced diet to promote overall health and well-being.

A role play titled “The Nutrient Court,” led by Mr. Leander and Ms. Kuenga, along with the student team, highlighted the functions and importance of various nutrients in the daily diet. It effectively conveyed that all nutrients are essential and should be consumed in appropriate quantities.

An informative presentation on a balanced diet, essential nutrients, and healthy food practices was delivered by Ms. Trisha and Mr. Leander. This was followed by a nutrition-related quiz conducted by Ms. Libnah. The interactive activity encouraged active participation and reinforced the students’ understanding of nutrition. Prizes were presented to the winners by Ms. Trisha and Ms. Lavisha.

The MCON students also demonstrated the steps of hand hygiene through a dance performance. The activity highlighted the importance of proper hand hygiene in preventing infections and promoting good health.

As part of the nutritional assessment, Ms. Aneesha and her team measured the students’ weight and calculated their Body Mass Index (BMI). The activity emphasized the value of growth monitoring in identifying and understanding the nutritional needs of children and adolescents.

Nutritious snacks were distributed to all the students by Mr. Isaac and his team, encouraging them to make healthier food choices in their daily lives. Mr. Sachu and Mr. Siyam captured the memorable moments of the program.

Ms. Jenisha proposed a vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, teachers, students, participants, and coordinators for their contributions to the successful conduct of the program.

A total of 66 students from Classes 8 to 12 and 10 teachers participated in the program. Feedback was collected from the beneficiaries at the end of the session.

Overall, the program was informative, engaging, and interactive. Activities such as the role-play, quiz, hand-hygiene dance, and BMI assessment helped create awareness about good nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices. The program successfully reinforced the importance of consuming a balanced diet and adopting healthy eating habits, representing a meaningful step towards building a healthier and better-informed future generation.

The program was coordinated by Mrs. Manjula, Assistant Professor–Senior Scale, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, MAHE, Manipal.