Media Release

Udupi, Jul 4: An awareness programme on Diet & Technology was held at the Udupi Hiriya Nagarikara Samste (R), Ajjarkad here. Dr Chef K Thirugnanasambantham, principal, Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), and Pallavi Mahelsh Shettigar – Coordinator for the Dept of Dietetics and Applied Nutrition at WGSHA, MAHE, Manipal, were the resource persons.

In his keynote address, Dr Chef K Thiru highlighted the significance of nutrition in maintaining the health of the elderly and the type of food to be consumed for good health. Pallavi Shettigar highlighted on the misinformation about nutrition and health among the elderly that's storming social media and how this may affect them adversely if they follow that. In addition, she also highlighted how such misinformation can be identified and some nutrition tips for specific health problems of the elderly can be given.

The chief guest of the programme Dr Shashidhara Y N, professor and head, Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, explained the importance of self-care for the elderly. He highlighted the concepts of active aging and the importance of physical, mental, and social health and explained the importance of being independent and the role of technology.

Chairman-in-charge of the association P Nagaraj Rao welcomed the gathering, secretary K Muralidhar introduced the guests and honorary president H Vishwananth Hegde proposed a vote of thanks. The event was coordinated by Raghavendra G faculty from WGSHA as a part of his research on the Gerontechnology Empowerment Program (GEP) to improve senior citizens’ quality of life.