As part of the celebration of Nutritionist Day in Angola, we interviewed Dr. Olga Mbunga de Carvalho, a nutritionist and outgoing president of the Angolan Association of Nutritionists (AAN), to learn a little more about the work they do.
“The association’s main role is to strengthen the nutritionist profession and ensure that their work is carried out with credibility, rigor, and recognition in society.”
The Origin of an Important Celebration
Olga tells us that “the idea of strengthening the professional identity emerged 14 years ago, following the signing of the association’s charter on April 9, 2012. Since then, this date has been established as Angolan Nutritionist Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the importance of these professionals in the advancement of public health.”
Challenges that still persist
Despite the progress made, numerous challenges remain. One of the main ones is achieving the integration of nutritionists into various fields such as:
- Hospitals
- Sports
- Restaurants
- Daycare centers
- Schools
- Supermarkets
In many of these settings, the presence of a nutritionist is still not seen as an essential need, but rather as a luxury. This is a paradigm that must change if we are to ensure a better quality of life for the population.
Indeed, the inclusion of nutritionists in various sectors was one of the topics discussed during the initial meeting of our project. “There are no public policies on nutrition in Angola, and that is a structural problem,” emphasized Virginia Sumbo, a professor at UNIC, and she stressed the need to educate and raise awareness among both the population and institutions.
The Importance of Nutrition Today
Today, nutrition plays a fundamental role in society, as it contributes to:
- Disease prevention
- Delaying the aging process
- The treatment of various diseases
- Promoting health
Recognizing the value of nutrition is key to building healthier and more health-conscious communities.
Fair at the International University of Cuanza (UNIC)
The International University of Cuanza will host a fair to commemorate Nutritionist Day. The event will include a keynote lecture on the importance of nutrition, delivered by Prof. Virgínia Sumbo; a roundtable discussion focused on the role of the nutritionist in society, featuring various specialists; a workshop on nutrition and academic performance aimed at students; and, running concurrently throughout the day, a free nutritional assessment service open to the community.
