ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar: The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, is organizing a five-day national hands-on workshop on nutritional assessment, dietary profiling, and anthropometry among Indian children, adolescents, and adults. The workshop, supported by the Department of Health Research (DHR), was inaugurated on September 1, 2025, in the Institute’s auditorium.
In her inaugural remarks, Anu Garg,IAS Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, Government of Odisha, emphasized the importance of the first two years of a child’s life. She said, “Because the major development of a child’s brain happens during this period, it is crucial to invest in their health, nutrition, and early stimulation.” She stressed the need for proper implementation of programs that address inequity and inequality in society.
She also emphasized improvements in adolescent health, 100% access to good nutrition for vulnerable communities, reducing anaemia by at least 90%, and improving breastfeeding practices as critical components for sustainable nutritional advancement and the realization of Viksit Bharat 2047. She highlighted behaviour change communication (BCC) as a key driver of effective nutritional interventions in the state and called for increased public awareness and governance focus on proper implementation of nutritional programs.
Shubha Sarma, Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha, noted, “ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar, is an important partner for the Government of Odisha in improving nutrition. The workshop is highly significant for scholars and practitioners in the field.” She emphasized the crucial role of nutrition in building a healthy economy and underscored the importance of data-driven, technology-supported approaches and multi-stakeholder convergence for successful program implementation. She also addressed the need to understand and work with cultural norms in family nutritional practices for better outcomes.
Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, Additional Director General, ICMR, New Delhi, and Director of RMRC, Bhubaneswar, welcomed the dignitaries. In her address, she highlighted the workshop’s focus on the evolving field of nutrition, noting, “Modern nutrition science has moved beyond food and nutritional security to address the double burden of malnutrition, which includes both undernutrition and the rising issue of obesity.” She added, “This workshop will provide participants with the tools to tackle this dual challenge.”
Ms. Marie-Claude Desilets, Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF India, New Delhi, likened good nutrition to infrastructure, stating, “Healthy diets also build strong people for a strong foundation.” She emphasized the importance of investing in healthy eating for mothers before and during pregnancy, and for families throughout life, as essential to building a Viksit Bharat – a strong and developed India.
Dr. Aditya Mahapatra, Additional Director, Child Health, highlighted the importance of ensuring good nutrition from childhood through the reproductive years to break the cycle of undernutrition.
Dr. Subhendu Kumar Acharya, Scientist D and Organizing Secretary of the workshop, delivered the vote of thanks and emphasized the workshop’s focus on various aspects of nutrition and healthy diets.
On this occasion, The Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC), Bhubaneswar, and UNICEF launched the Nutrition Knowledge & Social & Behaviour Change Hub at ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar.
This inaugural session also included a series of other new initiatives like the Odisha State chapter of the Nutrition Foundation of India (NSI), the executive report titled “Nutritional Status and Health Risk Behaviors among Tribal Adolescents in Odisha,” and the practical manual on nutrition assessment, “Techniques of Nutritional Assessment: A Practical Manual.”
The workshop will continue till the 5th of September, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrition from the policy to the community level by nationally renowned experts.
Among others, the inaugural session of the workshop was attended by dignitaries like Smt. Mitali Chinara, Chairperson of PG Council, Utkal University, Prof. AB Ota, former Director SCSTRTI, Bhubaneswar, William, Bhubaneswar; and Hanlon Jr., CFO, UNICEF, Bhubaneswar; Sourav Bhattacharjee, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Dr. Sugata Roy, Specialist Behavioural change communication, UNICEF, Bhubaneswar, faculties from universities, experts and scholars, from the state and participants from across the country.
