On August 31, 2024, the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Program of Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), in collaboration with department of Clinical Nutition and Dietetice, Kasturba Hospital, successfully hosted the much-anticipated "Nutrition Update 2024" at Sharada Hall, MCHP, Manipal. The event, organized in celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah, brought together leading professionals, researchers, and students from the field of nutrition and dietetics for a day of knowledge sharing and networking.

The conference kicked off with an engaging inaugural session attended by esteemed dignitaries, including the Chief Guest, Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. In his opening remarks, Dr. Shetty emphasized the critical role of nutrition in enhancing public health and commended the organizers for their efforts in curating a program that addressed both emerging trends and practical applications in the field.

Key Sessions and Highlights:

The first keynote session was delivered by Dr. G. Arun Maiya, Dean of MCHP, on the "Assessment of Body and Its Interpretation." Dr. Maiya’s talk provided attendees with advanced techniques and methodologies for assessing nutritional status, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

This was followed by an insightful session from Ms. Sreemathy Venkatraman, Chief Clinical Dietitian at Trustwell Hospitals, Bengaluru, who discussed "Emerging Concepts in Critical Care Nutrition." Her presentation offered cutting-edge insights into the nutritional management of critically ill patients, highlighting recent advancements that can significantly improve patient outcomes.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Bhakti Samant, Chief Dietitian at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, led an informative session on "Decoding Diagnostics," where she elaborated on the importance of diagnostic tools in clinical nutrition and how they can be effectively utilized to tailor dietetic interventions.

The event also featured interactive Q&A sessions, where participants had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, deepening their understanding of the topics discussed. The conference concluded with participants engaging in a variety of nutrition-related games.

Nutrition Update 2024 was hailed as a tremendous success by all who attended. It provided a valuable platform for professionals and students alike to stay abreast of the latest developments in nutrition science, fostered meaningful connections, and reinforced the importance of ongoing education in the ever-evolving field of clinical nutrition and dietetics.

As the day came to a close, participants left with not only new knowledge and skills but also a renewed commitment to advancing the field of nutrition to improve health outcomes globally.