ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (APP): Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), in collaboration with Iqra University, G-9 Campus on Friday organized a youth engagement session to raise awareness about unhealthy diets, ultra-processed products and the importance of front-of-pack warning labels.
The session aimed to educate university students about the health risks associated with excessive consumption of ultra-processed products and the role of effective food labelling in preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Addressing the participants, PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman, Executive Member Abdul Hafeez, PANAH Youth Club Patron Maria Mir and Co-Patron Usman Khan highlighted the importance of empowering young people to make informed dietary choices.
The speakers emphasized that unhealthy diets and excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods were major contributors to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and obesity.
They stressed the need for stronger public awareness and effective food labelling policies to help consumers identify products containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
On the occasion, PANAH Youth Club at Iqra University also established a membership and awareness desk in the university lobby, attracting considerable interest from students, many of whom registered to join the club.
The initiative was coordinated by Jameel, PANAH Youth Club Ambassador at Iqra University, and his team. PANAH representatives appreciated their efforts in engaging students and promoting the health awareness campaign.
The organizers said such university-based initiatives were aimed at developing young people as health advocates and encouraging them to support healthier food environments, effective front-of-pack warning labels and policies to reduce Pakistan’s growing burden of preventable diseases.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
