Nutrition conference well fuelled by Ara Applied Science team

_{Conference committee lead Maria Choukri (3rd from right) with some of the Ara team involved} 

Held in Ōtautahi for the first time in eight years, Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Department of Applied Sciences and Social Practice is at the centre of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand two-day conference.  

Ara is bronze sponsor of the event with senior lecturer at the Department of Applied Sciences and Social Practice, Maria Choukri leading the organising committee and many more Ara kaimahi and ākonga involved in putting the programme together.  

Experts in the field of nutrition are delivering presentations on a variety of topics focussing on latest nutritional science, its impact on overall health, innovative dietary strategies, and practical approaches to nutrition.    

Almost 200 delegates and associates are taking part in the event held at the Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo ki Ōtautahi, the University of Otago Christchurch campus.  

Among them are 36 ākonga studying nutrition at Ara whose attendance has been funded by the Ara Foundation.   

Maria Choukri said they were gaining networking opportunities with leading experts, researchers, and peers in the field of nutrition as well as insights cutting-edge research and innovative practices.  

“The conference may also offer them the chance to enhance their CVs and open doors to future career opportunities and possible practicum opportunities,” she said.  

Conference workshops tailored for postgraduate students, early career researchers, and registered nutritionists also feature Ara kaimahi. 

Juliet Slattery co-hosted a session with Ara graduate Hannah Alexander (now with the University of Otago) on Red Flags in Endurance Sports Nutrition. The workshop highlighted the mistakes or red flags seen in endurance athletes that may not be easily identified.  

Another workshop; Dietary Shift and Paradigm Shift, co-lead by Ara Senior Academic Staff member Lena Mkwara explored the ancient wisdom behind the Pure Diet (Oriental Vegan). 

As always, the conference featured the Muriel Bell Lecture in honour of Dr. Muriel Bell, a pioneering nutritionist and public health advocate in New Zealand. 

This year it was presented by Professor Pamela von Hurst Professor Emerita in the College of Health, Massey University and immediate past-president of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand. 

Her lecture addressed the issue of achieving impact from research in human nutrition and the push-back from the multitude of social media “experts”.