Nutrition Institute

General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes

Nutrition Institute
In 1944 the Ministry of Health established two nutrition research units in response to a recommendation of the Permanent Nutrition Committee As a result of the support given by the Ministry of Health, the nutrition section became the Nutrition Institute in 1955. In 1958 an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Health and the UN agencies concerned with nutrition and food (WHO & FAO) under the expanded technical assistance program to establish the nutrition problems in Egypt and to provide training and education in nutrition. Since then several nutrition studies and activities were conducted to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among population groups in different geographic sectors of the country. Accordingly nutrition intervention programs were planned for prevention and control of malnutrition. In addition, the Nutrition Institute (N.l) in collaboration with the international organizations WHO, FAO, UNICEF, World Food Program (WFP), The World Bank (WB) and United States Agency for International Development (US-AID) conducted several research and training activities in nutrition both at the national and regional levels. As a result, the World Health Organization recognized the Nutrition Institute as a WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Nutrition since 1992. Objectives of the Institute The main objective of the Nutrition Institute is to improve the nutritional status of the Egyptian population which can be achieved through the following: - Conducting periodic nutrition surveys on different population groups to determine the prevalence of malnutrition diseases and the underlying factors. Also monitoring changes in food consumption patterns. - Finding practical solutions and planning effective programs to combat malnutrition. - Providing technical data necessary for the formulation of food and nutrition policies. - Planning a nutrition surveillance system to be applied through primary health care units for early detection of malnutrition and prompt action. - Nutrition education for different population sectors to improve their dietary practices, in particular, women in child bearing age especially those who are pregnant and lactating, and Promoting appropriate breast-feeding and weaning practices. - Training of health care providers and other personnel working in the areas of food production3 processing and distribution. Also training of personnel in other organizations and institutions engaged in nutrition-related activities.

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