6th Asian Congress of Dietetics 2014
Taipei, Taiwan
21st August -24th August 2014
Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society participated in the 6th Asian Congress of Dietetics, 2014 at Taipei Taiwan which was held on 21st August to 24th August 2014, organized under the auspices of the Asian Federation of Dietetic Associations (AFDA).Theme for the 6th ACD was “Advancing health through innovative dietetic practice across Asia” The Asian congress of Dietetics is the major scientific and professional gathering of dietetic professionals, nutritionists, researchers and Practioners in Asia held every four years since 1994. This congress provides a platform to build networking, sharing knowledge from research, development, best practices and collaboration among dietitians in Asia and with International colleagues.
This was the first time when four PNDS executive council members together participated at any International congress. The members included Dr Nilofer F. Safdar, Fayza Khan, Saima Rasheed and Lt Cdr Rabia Anwar.
There were around 1000 participants from more than 20 countries, including 14 from Asia. Participants from Australia, Canada and New Zealand & United States of America represented professional organization like International Confederation of Dietetic Association (ICDA), Dietitians of Canada and Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (ADA). This congress featured a strong and rich program including inspiring speeches delivered by International eminent scholars and experts in dietetics and nutrition. More than 300 valuable research papers in areas of clinical nutrition, community nutrition, food service management and dietetic education were presented.
Dr Nilofer F Safdar was the invited speakers at the congress. She delivered her talk on “Dietary Patterns and their relationship with hypertension among South Asian adults” during the session on ‘Nutritional Strategies for Cardiovascular, Stroke & Hypertension’. She was also the chair for the scientific session entitled “Engaging Dietitians in Research & Publication.
Fayza Khan and Nilofer F Safdar won the second prize for their poster presentation on their research titled, “A cross sectional study assessing the prevalence of chronic disease related modifiable risk factors in tertiary care hospital employees” in the area of community health & dietetics..
At the ACD conference, AFDA Council meeting was also organized on 22nd August 2014. Elections were held at the meeting for AFDA council members 2014-2018 and Pakistan was elected as council member of AFDA for this term again, Dr Chwang Leh was elected as the AFDA President for the next four years. On 23th August 2014 AFDA General Assembly meeting was held .Upon suggestions of the council members, an expert group was formulated consisting of four members, which will facilitate and work on exchange of nutrition and dietetic professional training programs within institutions of different AFDA member countries and thus help in capacity building, training and improving the status of dietetics in different AFDA member countries.. This group will be chaired by Dr Dr Chwang Leh Chi and members include Dr Winnie Chee from Malaysia, Dr Nilofer F Safdar from Pakistan, Dr Yamamoto from Japan will be the group members.
At the closing ceremony on 24th August, the Taipei Declaration was signed by all council members to strengthen networking and collaboration among members associations, support research to promote evidence based dietetic practice, and to enhance professionalism and expansion of dietitians’ role in all areas of nutrition care. In the end AFDA flag was handed over to the Hong Kong representatives, the next host of 7th ACD 2014.
I encourage more PNDS members for their active participation at the upcoming 7th ACD going to be held at Hong Kong in 2018.Prepare your research papers & share your scientific and practical work with International professionals at the next AFDA conference to help PNDS members gain international recognition.
Fayza Khan
President & Chair PR Committee,
Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society
GLIMPSES OF 6th ACD 2014
Presidents of AFDA Member Countries
AFDA Council Meeting
Dr. Nilofer Receiving Certificate
TAIPEI Declaration Signed by All Members Associations
PNDS Members with Hong Kong Nutrition Association
Social Gathering “ASIAN NIGHT”