The Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO) commemorates International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, by highlighting the fundamental role of nutrition in women’s health during an interview with the dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Sandra Sumalla.
Dr. Sumalla has highlighted the nutritional challenges facing women today, especially the social pressure to maintain a certain physical appearance. This pressure, she has noted, often leads to an unhealthy approach to eating and exercise.
In addition, within the university setting, she has advised on how women can maintain proper nutrition: “The most important thing is for them to be aware that nutrition is one of the basic pillars for maintaining health.” To this end, she has recommended meal planning and advanced food preparation, known as “batch cooking,” to ensure healthy eating during the week. She has also stressed the importance of including enough fiber-rich vegetables, which provide the micronutrients needed for academic performance.
Promoting nutritional awareness
To promote greater awareness of the importance of nutrition, Dr. Sumalla has suggested the implementation of specific educational programs for university women. These programs could address the particular nutritional needs of women and provide practical advice for overcoming common obstacles to healthy eating.
The danger of nutritional myths
One of the main problems in nutrition today, according to Dr. Sumalla, is the amount of misinformation available on social media and the Internet. For this reason, she warned about the need for critical thinking in the face of “miracle solutions” and food myths that flood the Internet. She also recommended seeking advice from properly trained professionals, such as dietitians and nutritionists, to avoid falling into the trap of false information or hoaxes.
International Women’s Day activities:
In addition to the interview of Dr. Sandra Sumalla at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (UNEATLANTICO), the Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) and several universities of its network have organized a series of activities in honor of the International Women’s Day. The activities are part of the “Health and Women” special, which aims to highlight important aspects of healthcare from a gender perspective.
In the mental health field, FUNIBER has interviewed psychologist Cristina Ceballos who, from a social perspective, has addressed issues relevant to women’s mental health. The interview was conducted as part of the “Well-being” program, created by FUNIBER’s Social Action area.
In Angola, the Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (International University of Cuanza, UNIC) and its Student Association have organized activities to be carried out during the month of March, including the production of the Intimate Health Manual in conjunction with FUNIBER and UNEATLANTICO, through the Erasmus Plus CLINICALSIM project.
For its part, the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Colombia (Iberoamerican University Foundation of Colombia, UNINCOL) celebrates the day with an online discussion, “Physical Activity and Women’s Health,” by Professor Amélia Stein, at 13:00 (Colombian time).
The MLS Journals publishing house, promoted by FUNIBER, has highlighted 10 articles published in its scientific journals which seek to better understand aspects related to women’s health. Research is essential to improve knowledge about women’s specific needs, and although for many years it has been a topic that has received little attention, it is becoming increasingly relevant.