Nepal

Kathmandu, September 1

Children aged below two years who consumed junk food were found to be suffering from nutrition deficiency, according to a study.

A research conducted by Helen Keller International Nepal, along with the Ministry of Health and Population revealed that children consuming junk food and beverage, had low dietary adequacy.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 745 primary caregivers for children aged 12&23 months, in Kathmandu valley, from February to April 2017. The research was published on 31 May 2019, on The Journal of Nutrition.

For all children, junk food and beverage, were main source of energy. Junk food mostly consumed by children included biscuits with 10.8 per cent total energy intakes (TEI), candy/chocolates with 3.5 per cent TEI, savoury snacks with 3.4 per cent TEI, instant noodles with 2.2 percent TEI and bakery items with 2.0 per cent TEI.

Nutrient intakes, dietary adequacy, length-for-age, and iron status were compared based on the contribution of junk food and beverage, to total energy intake, in the research.

Over-consumption of energy-dense/nutrient-poor food and beverage by children could lead to micro-nutrient dilution during critical period of their growth and development. Caregivers for children should, therefore, provide children with healthy food rich in micro-nutrients, said AtulUpadhyay, principal investigator of the research project.

&Children should not be given junk food because it will have adverse impact on their growth and development. Instead, they should be given food cooked at home, eggs, fruits and other varieties rich in nutrition, said Upadhyay.

&We conducted the research in the capital city where people are educated. We assume that the caregivers and mothers of the children are well informed about dietary effects.

They should provide food items to children, that are rich in nutrition,& he said. There is a need to support caregivers in making healthy food choices. Poor nutritional value of junk food and beverage, should be included in school education, according to Upadhyay.

Children need micro-nutrients such as iron, Vitamin B12 and zinc for their growth and development.

Such micro-nutrients also help to prevent anaemia and improve immune system of the children, said Kedar Raj Parajuli, chief of Nutrition Programme, Family Welfare Division, in the Department of Health.

Infant and young children should be given balanced diet to ensure their appropriate growth and development. Infants and young children are vulnerable to undernutrition and to morbidity and mortality, according to Parajuli.

World Health Organisation has recommended balanced diet for children and infants which include grains, roots, and tubers; legumes and nuts; dairy products (milk yogurt, cheese); flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry, and liver/organ meat); eggs;vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables; and fruits and vegetables.

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Kathmandu, September 1

Sub-committee formed to investigate allegations against medical colleges for charging extra fee from students submitted its report today to a panel chaired by lawmaker Jay Puri Gharti.

The Parliamentary Education and Health Committee had formed the sub-committee to investigate all 21 medical colleges across the country.

Earlier, a team from the Nepal Medical Council had found that Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre, Pokhara, had charged extra fee from MBBS students.

The NMC formed a probe committee after receiving complaints the from students.

As per the fee structure fixed by the government, colleges in Kathmandu valley can charge not more than Rs 38.5 lakh per student, while colleges outside the valley can charge not more than Rs 42 lakh per student.

The probe committee, which submitted its report to the NMC on February 27, had stated that the college was found charging extra fee from students in the name of annual fee, library fee, transportation fee and field visit.

On March 22, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had directed those colleges to return extra fee charged from students. The committee will hold a meeting to review recommendations made by the sub-committee, said a source.

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Kathmandu, September 1

Main opposition party Nepali Congress has submitted proposal seeking amendment to the Media Council Bill in the National Assembly.

Three NC lawmakers led by SaritaPrasai, chief whip of its parliamentary party, registered amendment proposal at the Secretariat of the Upper House today. Three months after registration of the bill by the government, it was tabled in the National Assembly for consideration by soliciting amendment proposals from all parliamentary parties.

The NC has proposed a number of amendments to the controversial bill.

Section 18 (1) of the bill stipulated a provision that if any media published news contents in contravention of the code of conduct, and if an investigation launched after the affected partycomplaint found that such news content damaged reputation of the complainant, then the media council could impose fine between Rs 25,000 and one million rupees on media outlets, publishers, editors, journalists and reporters. Section 18 (2) of the bill stated that the council could order erring parties to pay compensation if the content in media damaged reputation of affected party. In the amendment proposal, the NC has proposed for removal of this provision.

&The guilty party will have to make public apology or will be blacklisted for the offence committed. No publisher shall be punished for such offence,& the proposal read. It also suggested for removal of section 19, which was concerned with action against the publishers, editors, journalists or reporters, for violation of code of conduct.

The proposal stated that the media council should be chaired by a person having gained qualification equivalent to that of a Supreme Court justice instead of a person with qualification of bachelordegree and having work experience of minimum 10 years. &There should be at least two members, including a lawmaker of the main opposition party and a woman, as members of the council,& it read. The NC has demanded that the president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists be nominated as a member of the council.

Earlier, the National Assembly had claimed that a consensus on the controversial bill was forged among political parties and the FNJ, after it drew flak from the opposition parties, media fraternity and stakeholders.

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