Iodine mixed salt is made for people who are iodine deficient whereas its usual usage for the normal people causes different health complications, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa.

He addressed the International seminar on maternal and child health arranged by Institute of Home Sciences, Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. He said that changing lifestyle, junk food and eating habits were the main culprits behind the increasing malnutrition in the society. He viewed that our elders were used to get up at dawn in the early hours. They preferred going to mosque; walkout at that time and take complete but simple breakfast. Now, we get up late in the morning and the most of the students, even, don’t take the breakfast that causes malnutrition. He added that availability of food is not a problem as the abundant of food is available in the country. He said that a low-income person who can’t afford meat and apple, he can buy alternative economical sources of protein and vitamin like pulses, and vegetable. He said that we should put focus of our children on the homemade dishes full of energy. He said that simplicity and traditional food habits would help improve the situation. He directed the food and nutrition faculty to set up the stalls of the checking vitamin D, thyronia and vitamin B12 to facilitate the campus community and locals. The bad eating habits and junk foods provoked health issues among the people. He said that effective measures are needed to educate the people about the healthy way of life. Dean Faculty of Food Sciences, Nutrition and Home Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that 50 percent of population was facing malnutrition. The education about nutritive and balanced food at school level will help overcome the issue. He said that vitamin D deficiency at high with 60 percent; vitamin A 45 percent whereas maternal anaemia deficiency stands at 49 and child stunting level 43 percent. He said that healthy food was essential for the mental and physical growth of the students. He urged people to use balances usage of diet and to adopt the physical activities in their daily lives. Jahen Kim Food Expert from South Korea said that in the 70s they were facing the massive malnutrition. They devised a comprehensive strategy and overcome the issue. He also told the students about the nutrition educational and research opportunities in his country. Institute of Home Sciences Incharge Dr Ayesha Riaz, Dr Rabia, Dr Amna and other notables also spoke on the occasion.