The College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) Pakistan marked Food Safety Week on 16 October by launching an initiative focused on food safety awareness, healthy dietary practices and student wellness, bringing together efforts from its management, Food Safety Department and Wellness Centre.
As part of the initiative, the Food Safety Department conducted anthropometric measurements to assess key indicators of students’ nutritional status and body composition. The activity aimed to raise awareness about the importance of monitoring nutritional health and adopting balanced dietary habits as part of everyday life.
The assessments provided an opportunity to evaluate indicators such as body mass index (BMI) and other body composition measurements. By introducing students to these health indicators, the initiative sought to encourage greater awareness of personal wellness and the role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
A key component of the programme is a six-month follow-up initiative designed to monitor progress and support improvements in students’ nutritional wellbeing. The planned follow-up will include dietary guidelines, personalised nutrition guidance and wellness support. Subsequent assessments will help identify changes in BMI and other nutritional indicators, providing information to guide appropriate dietary interventions.
The initiative also highlighted the importance of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in understanding bone health. Alongside nutritional assessments, awareness of bone health can encourage individuals to consider the importance of balanced nutrition, appropriate physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices in supporting long-term wellbeing.
The six-month approach reflects a focus on sustained awareness rather than a one-day activity. Regular monitoring, combined with suitable nutritional guidance, can help students better understand their health indicators and make informed decisions about their dietary habits.
Food safety education is traditionally associated with hygiene, safe food handling, storage and preparation practices. However, the initiative also demonstrated how educational institutions can connect food safety awareness with broader discussions about nutrition and preventive wellness.
Through the collaborative efforts of COTHM Pakistan’s management, Food Safety Department and Wellness Centre, the programme extended learning beyond the classroom and encouraged students to take a more active interest in their personal health.
The initiative reflects COTHM’s continued emphasis on practical education, healthy habits and student wellbeing, highlighting the importance of creating an educational environment where food safety, nutrition and wellness are recognised as interconnected priorities.
