European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Health Sciences and Public Health Dietitian Asst. Prof. Dr. Seliz Bağcılar made a statement on “Nutrition for Healthy Communities: The Role of Dietitians in Public Health”.

“Public health is a discipline that aims to improve the general health status of society and prevent diseases. In this context, dietetics has an important role in helping individuals adopt healthy lifestyles. Bağcılar stated that “Dietetics in public health has a critical importance to improve the nutritional habits of society, to combat common health problems such as obesity and to contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases” and continued his words as follows; Dietitians evaluate the nutritional needs of individuals and society and develop appropriate nutrition plans. Dietitians working in the field of public health encourage healthy eating habits by reaching large populations, organising awareness-raising activities, and eliminating the lack of information on nutrition in society. These efforts are vital to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases and to increase the general level of health.

Bağcılar emphasised that dietetics in public health aims to improve the nutritional habits of not only individuals but also different segments of the society such as schools, workplaces, public institutions and health facilities, and in this context, studies such as organising nutrition education programmes in schools, determining healthy nutrition standards and promoting healthy food options in workplaces are carried out.

Bağcılar who expressed that “The role of dietitians in public health is not only to combat existing health problems, but also to help future generations adopt a healthy lifestyle” and added that for this reason, the value of the role played by dietitians in the field of public health is gradually increasing.

Finally, Bağcılar concluded as follows: “Finally, dietetics in public health plays a critical role in improving the general health status of the society and preventing diseases. By organising awareness-raising activities on nutrition, developing strategies to improve eating habits and providing healthy nutrition information to all segments of society, dietitians make important contributions to the protection and promotion of public health.”