Seminar on Undernutrition and Obesity in Lebanon

Even though I am still pursuing my masters and still in the 'education business', I believe it is quite crucial to keep on updating ourselves with the newest topics in our domain. This is made easier and guaranteed among registered dietitians abroad (US/UK/Canada) by imposing that each dietitian collects a specific number of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. These credits ensure that all practitioners are improving/updating their knowledge, engaging in conferences and workshops and establishing short and long term goals for professional development -all beyond what is required to enter the profession in the first place, like BS/Hospital Internships. This way all dietitians are obliged to participate in CPE activites to maintain their registration.

But whom are we kidding, as dietitians in Lebanon, we just had a new syndicate (I still have no idea what they offer, I should dig into that) and we have no such thing as CPE credits. So we have to continuously search the country for good Nutrition and Health related conferences and workshops. This is why, the below can be a push for all dietitians in Lebanon to update their knowledge when it comes to undernutrition and obesity in Lebanon!

Under the patronage and presence of H. E. the Minister of Public Health Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil -  

A Seminar on Undernutrition and Obesity in Lebanon

Date: Friday January 20, 2012 From 9.30 am till 2 pm
Venue: Auditorium 2300, Charles Hostler Center, 2nd Floor, AUB

9:30-10:00 Opening Ceremony
Opening statements by:
1. Dr. Nahla Hwalla, Dean, FAFS, AUB
2. Dr. Mouin Hamze, Secretary General, CNRS
3. Dr. Peter Dorman, President, AUB
4. H.E. Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Public Health
10:00-10:30 Coffee Break

10:30-11:40 First Session
Chairperson: Dr. Abdel Hamid Hallab (CNRS)
Discussants: Dr. Salim Jeambar (USJ), Dr. Christa Boulous (USJ)

Presentations by:
- Dr. Lara Nasreddine (AUB): Prevalence and determinants of underweight and obesity in the Lebanese population, and the magnitude of change in obesity prevalence over the past decade
- Dr. Ziad Harb (USEK): Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in the Lebanese population
- Dr. Khalil Helou (USJ): The association between childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome indicators
11:15-11:40 Discussion

11:40-12:45 Second Session
Chairperson: Dr. Tamima El Jisr (CNRS)
Discussants: Dr. Walid Ammar (MOH), Dr. Fadi Yarak (MOE), Dr. Sameen Siddiqi (WHO/EMRO), Mrs. Sawsan Wazzan (Diet Center)

Presentation by:
- Dr. Nahla Hwalla (AUB): Development of food-based dietary guidelines for Lebanese adults and development/implementation of a school-based intervention program for Lebanese school-aged children and adolescents
12:00-12:45 Discussion

12:45-13:00 Third Session
Chairperson: Dr. Ahmed Dallal (Provost, AUB)
Conclusions and future perspectives to be presented by Dr. Mouin Hamze (CNRS) and Dr. Nahla Hwalla (AUB)
13:00-14:00 Buffet lunch

* This is the first Associated Research Unit (ARU) seminar in collaboration with the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), AUB, USEK and USJ

Info sources: Lebanese Dietetic Association, Continuing Professional Education Guidelines