“What kind of food should I take to reduce weight,” “Should I avoid high-cholesterol food to prevent cardiac problems,” “How can I protect my child from diarrhoea?”
The questions and doubts were numerous, as also was the awareness to lead a healthy life among people who visited the stalls put up at Christian Medical College (CMC) as part of the World Health Day celebrations on Thursday.
Various departments of CMC came together to put up 15 stalls on the occasion. This year, the World Health Day has the theme – Halt the rise. Beat diabetes.
The stall put up by the Department of Dietetics displayed a balanced diet required for an adult. The spread ranged from cereals, pulses, vegetables and fruits to recipes with traditional millets. The recipes included “kollu” ladoo, “kudaraivali” cutlet, “thinai” pongal, “samai” payasam and “cholam” biryani.
It was all about cancer and its prevention at the stall of the Department of Oncology and Haematology.
Posters informed visitors about the food causing cancer such as processed meat, carbonated beverages, genetically modified food and grilled food. Foods rich in vitamin A, C, E and selenium, zinc prevent cancer.
The hospital infection control committee put forward information on common waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea in children. Visitors were told that persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, high fever, inability to eat and drink and unconsciousness were signs of danger.
Among home remedies, children could be given water, Oral Rehydration Solution, bananas, coconut water, watery fruits and vegetables. The importance of washing hands was also explained.
The Department of Paediatrics put up posters, including those on immunisation and heatstroke.
Anil Kuruvilla, acting director, and C.E. Eapen, medical superintendent of CMC, took part in the inauguration.
