Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Students Conducted Voluntary Health Activities at 11 Azar School

On Monday, February 17, 2025, a group of fourth- and third-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil carried out voluntary health activities at 11 Azar School under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein. The initiative aimed to promote health awareness among young students aged 11 and 12 years through health assessments and an engaging educational seminar.

Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Miss Asaye Khasro Othman, the school director, who expressed appreciation for supporting student health education. As part of the activity, they conducted Body Mass Index (BMI) tests for the teachers and students. They also explained simply and interactively how weight and height are related to overall health and growth and encouraged students to develop healthy habits to support their physical well-being.

Following the BMI assessments, they presented a seminar titled The Importance of Proper Posture for Growing Bodies. It focused on how sitting, standing, and carrying school bags correctly can prevent back and neck pain and improve overall posture. Additionally, they demonstrated the correct sitting posture while studying, how to hold backpacks to avoid strain, and simple exercises to strengthen posture muscles. They also explained how bad posture habits, such as slouching while using phones or sitting for long periods, can cause long-term issues.

This voluntary activity provided young students with essential knowledge on maintaining good posture in a fun and engaging way. It also gave university students valuable experience in community health education, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge while developing their communication and leadership skills in promoting healthy habits for children.