TR Ministry of Health Science Committee Member Prof. Dr. Serhat Ünal: A strong immune system is as important as the coronavirus vaccine in fighting the disease.
The Sabri Ülker Foundation organized the most comprehensive international conference on nutrition during the pandemic period and the extent to which the numerous news on this subject reflect scientific facts. Nutrition and communications in Turkey and speaking at a conference where experts from abroad as a speaker names of the Scientific Committee Prof. Serhat Ünal drew attention to the importance of a strong immune system while giving information about the recent studies in corona vaccine.
At the Nutrition and Health Communication Conference held digitally, it was stated that scientific information communication and media literacy are very important for the future of public health, and the risk of getting sick as a result of information pollution increases.
The Nutrition and Health Communication Conference, hosted digitally by the Sabri Ülker Foundation, which carries out projects to base scientific knowledge on food, nutrition and health in society, brought world-renowned experts together on 17-18 November.
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Head of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department and Vaccine Institute Director Prof. Dr. Serhat UnalHe stated that humanity has been battling many diseases such as plague, cholera, malaria and SARS for centuries and the coronavirus is actually not a surprise. Stating that the world is cooperating against coronavirus, but the epidemic cannot be stopped at the point reached. Prof. Unal, said:
“Mask, distance and hand hygiene are essential to stop the epidemic. However, these measures were not properly implemented all over the world. Although options such as mutation of the virus, herd immunity, effective treatment and medication are discussed, it seems that this job will be solved with a vaccine. There is hope in the vaccine, but keeping the immune (immune) system strong is also very important. The coronavirus continues to devastate the world. We cannot give up on masks, distance and hand hygiene. We must not forget the basic healthy living rules. Regular health checks, avoiding stress if possible, regular exercise, regular sleep, healthy and balanced diet are very important. A healthy body means a healthy immune system. A well-functioning immune system is our most important strength against all diseases, especially coronavirus. It has been scientifically proven that vitamins C and D are extremely important in combating this disease. It is also very important to include these vitamins in addition. "
Head of the Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition and Food Safety Center, University of Hohenheim at the conference prof. Hans Konrad Biesalski, Sabri Ülker Foundation Scientific Committee Member Dr. Julian D Stowell, İstinye University Vice Rector and Faculty Member of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Prof. H. Tanju Besler, President of the Diabetes Foundation of Turkey Prof. Basic YilmazFrom Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Irfan ErolExpert Dietician Selahattin Donmez with Dietitian Berrin Yigit He explained the basic issues such as the immune system, chronic diseases, emotional hunger, popular diets, food literacy and known mistakes with examples. Head of Department of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition and Food Safety Center, University of Hohenheim prof. Hans Konrad BiesalskiPointing out that vitamin D deficiency can increase the severity of the COVID-19 disease, he emphasized that those who spend too much time indoors are also at risk.
The pandemic process has also changed our habits
In a recent study shared at the conference, it was also stated that many habits related to healthy living and nutrition changed during the pandemic. According to a study conducted in Turkey pandemic period;
- Healthy eating trend increased from 19% to 25%.
- 50% of the people stated that they gained 4 kilos and 10% lost 4 kilos.
- Snack frequency 45%; The frequency of snacking 1-2 hours before bedtime increased by 10%.
- The proportion of frequent cooks increased from 33% to 80%, and health sensitivity in cooking reached 91%.
- The rate of those skipping lunch due to late breakfast increased by 32%
- Food supplement usage rate increased from 51% to 60%.
- Sleep patterns deteriorated by 75% due to the pandemic.
- While those who exercised kept their habits, the proportion of those doing sports at home increased from 54% to 90%.
It is necessary to be more selective about media literacy
On the second day of the conference, attention was drawn to the importance of scientific knowledge in combating the pandemic, and citizens were invited to be more selective about media literacy in order to distinguish whether the information in communication channels is scientific or not. From Harvard University Health Communications Department prof. K. Vish Viswanath, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Oxford University CRIC Center Senior Member Prof. Sea Country Arıboğan, Dünya Newspaper Chairman of the Board Hakan GuldagFounder of the Institute of Communication and Business Sciences prof. Ali Atıf Bir, Director of Aarhus University MAPP Research Center Prof. Klaus grunertExecutive Director of Education, British Nutrition Foundation Roy Ballam Senior Media Specialist for Science Media Center (Blim Media Center) Fiona Lethbridge, Assistant FAO Representative in Turkey Dr. Aysegul Selışık and FAO supporter Nutrition and Diet Specialist Dilara KocakOn the second day, the importance of scientific information communication and media literacy for public health was discussed.
Professor of Harvard Viswanath: Those who have a say should definitely check for science before writing anything.
Professor of Health Communications, Harvard University K. Vish ViswanathIn his speech where he explained the difficulties and opportunities of science communication in the age we live in, “One of the biggest challenges in the 21st century is the complex structure of the information ecosystem. There are many different views and perspectives for the definition of the truthful news. There are social and psychological barriers to society's understanding of science. These affect people's view of correct information. "For the solution of this situation, the people who have a say in communication channels weigh the scientificity of information before disseminating it, it plays a very important role in the future of public health."
Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan: Information pollution misleads the public in all matters concerning the society
Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Oxford University CRIC Center Senior Member Prof. Sea Country Arıboğan and Dünya Newspaper Chairman of the Board of Directors Hakan GuldagIn the session titled “The Effects of Information Pollution in Communication on the Society” attended by Prof. prof. ArıboğanStating that information pollution misleads the public not only in the field of public health but also in many issues concerning the society, and also in the field of economy and politics, he talked about the power of public opinion in decision-making processes. Emphasizing that manipulated contents can sometimes lead to transformations in society that are very difficult to return. Prof. Aribogan, kimi zamHe expressed that innocent looking 'false information' has grown like an avalanche in the age of social media. Journalist Hakan Guldag in explaining the problems of science journalism in Turkey, he drew attention to the importance of specialization. Güldağ stated that journalism has shifted to the internet in recent years, which brings different problems.
Dr. Ayşegül Selışık: 44 countries need food support from outside
Assistant FAO Representative in Turkey Dr. Aysegul Selışık with FAO supporter and Nutritionist Dilara Kocak He talked about the latest developments on agriculture and nutrition facts.
Dr. Aysegul Selışık He stated that there are COVID-185 in 19 countries around the world, 44 of them need food support from outside, and emphasized that these countries will be in a very difficult situation if the global food trade is interrupted. Turkey's Selışık said that the world's seventh largest agricultural producer, "a strong possibility of being affected by our global fluctuations. However, no shortage is expected in the short and medium term in food supply and security. Turkey in Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and one of Central Asia's largest food supplier. "If the shipping routes are blocked, the producer will also be adversely affected." Offering some suggestions to overcome the difficulties to be encountered, Selışık said, “Access points should be planned for shipment and delivery in the food chain. Digital applications should be developed to facilitate communication. Interruptions in supply chains and quarantine measures experienced during the COVID-19 process caused significant increases in food loss and waste. Therefore, innovative business models should be created with the participation of the private sector and these models should be financed with new approaches. In addition, the food banking option should be evaluated, ”he said.
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