The 56th Annual National Conference of the Nutrition Society of India (NSI), themed “Transdisciplinary Approaches in Addressing Nutrition Challenges,” from 13th to 15th November 2024 was a power-packed event with engaging workshops, technical sessions, Award-Lectures, plenary discussions, and networking opportunities.

Key Highlights from the Three-Day Conference

Day 1: 13th November 2024 – Pre-Conference Workshops

The pre-conference workshops were on specialized areas:

• Workshop I:“Inner Balance: Exploring the Gut Microbiome’s Impact on Health”
  • Covered microbiome testing techniques, bacteriotherapy integration, and biomarker genes associated with Indian fermented foods.
  • Practical sessions on metagenome sequencing and analysis.
• Workshop II:“Advancing Clinical Nutrition Assessment for Different Populations”
  • Explored enteral and parenteral nutrition with hands-on training and anthropometric assessments.
• Workshop III:“Culinary Nutrition and Culinary Medicine”
  • Discussed sustainable eating, nutrient-dense ingredients, and food preparation techniques with renowned chefs and nutritionists.
  • Includes myth-busting sessions on ingredients and practical culinary demonstrations.

Day 2: 14th November 2024 – Inaugural and Technical Sessions

• Inauguration Ceremony
  • Dignitaries, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar (Pro-Chancellor, SIU), Dr. Sarath Gopalan (NSI President), and Dr. GM SubbaRao (NSI Secretary), and Prof. Atul Gokhale (Director-SSCANS) addressed the gathering at the inaugural function. Souvenir of the conference was released and vote of thanks was given by Dr. Kavitha Menon.
• Exhibition Launch: Nutrition and food exhibition featuring innovations and interventions was inaugurated the participants explored the various stalls and counters.
• Plenary Session:“Transdisciplinary Approaches in Addressing Nutritional Challenges”
  • Topics include food and supplements as therapy (Prof. Janusz Jankowski) and redefining dietary requirements in the Indian context (Dr. Anura Kurpad). The emphasis was on integrating multiple disciplines for better public health outcomes.
• Parallel Technical Sessions:
  • Sessions were conducted parallelly and various themes were covered including:
    • Maternal and child nutrition.
    • Innovations in clinical nutrition.
    • Lifestyle diseases and their nutritional management.
    • The role of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements in health.

Day 3: 15th November 2024 – Symposia and Panel Discussions

Symposium on “Climate-Smart Nutrition”: Focused on sustainability in food systems, policies, and practices.

• Panel Discussion on Public Health Nutrition: Experts discussed malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and strategies for large-scale interventions.

Technical Sessions:

• Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): This session Addressed the role of diet in managing diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
• Emerging Technologies in Nutrition Research: Artificial intelligence, big data, and precision nutrition was another engaging session.
• Poster and Oral Presentations: Showcased current research across diverse topics.
• Awards and Recognition:

Several prestigious award lectures were delivered during the conference, showcasing groundbreaking research and contributions to the field of nutrition. 

• The Dr. Rajammal P. Devadas Memorial Award Lecture, presented by Dr. Anuradha Khadilkar, Deputy Director at the Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Pune, focused on Establishing Anthropometric and Bone Health Norms for Optimising Health and Nutrition in Indian Children.

• The Dr. Gopalan Memorial Oration Award, the most prestigious recognition of the conference, was delivered by Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh. His lecture, titled Childhood Stunting – Should This Remain as Pervasive as Before? was both highly informative and profoundly innovative. Dr. Ahmed’s presentation offered fresh perspectives and actionable insights into combating childhood stunting, a critical global health challenge. His scholarly contributions exemplified the essence of this distinguished award, inspiring attendees to reimagine solutions for one of the most pressing issues in public health.

• The Dr. B.K. Anand Memorial Award was presented to Dr. Som Nath Singh, Scientist ‘F’ at the Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), New Delhi, in recognition of his contributions. 

• The Dr. S.G. Srikantia Memorial Oration Award Lecture, a highly esteemed recognition, was delivered by Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G and Head of the Biochemistry Division at ICMR-NIN, Hyderabad. His enlightening discourse on B-Vitamins and Age-Related Chronic Disorders captivated the audience with its depth and relevance. Dr. Reddy’s presentation seamlessly combined cutting-edge research with practical implications, offering a nuanced understanding of how essential micronutrients impact chronic health conditions. 

This prestigious lecture, along with others in the award series, showcased the unparalleled expertise of the speakers and emphasized the transformative potential of transdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex nutrition and health challenges.

• Valedictory Function:

The conference concluded with Valedictory Function, marked by gratitude and camaraderie. The closing remarks by the Organizing secretary and President and the other conference leaders reflected on the enriching discussions, groundbreaking insights, and collaborative spirit that defined the event. Contributors were felicitated for their dedication and exceptional contributions, which played a pivotal role in the conference’s success. The ceremony resonated with a shared commitment to advancing the field of nutrition and fostering transdisciplinary partnerships.