The first-year students of the Public Health specialty of the Faculty of Food Technologies and Quality Management of Agricultural Products are mastering modern knowledge at the newly created Department of Public Health and Nutrition

Since August 14, 2023, a new, turning point in life has come for the 1st year students of the specialty 229 "Public Health" - they have crossed the threshold of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine and can attend classes in person, which allows them to experience real student life, despite the fact that it also includes temporary stays in bomb shelters.

To train a new generation of highly qualified public health professionals who must have fundamental knowledge of solving complex specialized problems and issues in the field of medicine, nutrition and healthy eating and to successfully pass the accreditation examination of the educational program "Nutrition and Healthy Eating", specialty 229 "Public Health" by order of the rector of June 26, 2023. the Department of Public Health and Nutrition was established under No. 640, headed by Professor, President of the Ukrainian Dietitians Association, therapist of the highest category, gastroenterologist of the highest category, dietitian of the highest category Oleh SHVETS.

The desire to live and eat healthy is a trend at the current stage of human development. However, despite the constant promotion of health in society and the seemingly accessible and understandable postulates of healthy eating, the training of specialists in this field should not be taken lightly. After all, future specialists must know the impact of nutritional choices on the risk of dangerous diseases and metabolism; the specifics of clinical nutrition in various pathological conditions; the impact of nutrition on mental health; be able to conduct an individual appointment; know the legal and psychological aspects of the case; consult the client, conduct questionnaires, measurements, decipher tests, draw up a diet plan and menu for the week; support and manage the patient for a certain period, etc.

Unfortunately, society still prioritizes the development of medicine and medical diagnostic practices over technologies for preserving the health of individuals and the nation as a whole. Therefore, the department's staff is aware that it is preparing pioneers who can overcome inertia and bias, who are able to inform, motivate, educate, persuade, promote and lead.

Public health professionals will work with a variety of clients: healthy and sick people; children from the age of 10, teenagers and adults; patients suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other food behavior disorders; overweight and obese people; people who regulate emotional stress with food; people who need support in changing their diet plan; relatives of people suffering from eating disorders, etc.

Given these challenges, when creating the new Department of Public Health and Nutrition, Dean Larysa Bal-Pryrypko and Head of the Department Oleh Shvets took the matter seriously, setting high standards for the content of educational and professional programs, for the department's specialists and its material and technical support.

The department is staffed by a dietitian, gastroenterologist, director of the "Healthy Nutrition" medical center at the Ukrainian Research Institute of Nutrition, PhD, associate professor Oleksandr Martynchuk; Doctor of Medicine, awarded the highest honor of the Scientific Society of Anatomists, Histologists, Embryologists and Topographical Anatomists of Ukraine for re-embalming the body of M.I. Pirogov. Pirogov's body and achievements in morphological science, the V.O. Betz Gold Medal, Professor Gennadiy Tkach; Director of the Ukrainian Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, Doctor of Science, Professor Valentyna Kornienko; Scholarship holder of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for Young Scientists, PhD, Associate Professor Mykola Nikolaienko; Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Alyona Altanova; Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Associate Professor Ruslana Postoi.

The Department has a modern conference room, two training laboratories equipped with everything necessary: human body models; thermostat; digital viscometer for measuring liquid viscosity in chemical medicine and food industry; microscopes of various modifications; cholesterol glucometer for measuring lipid profile and glucose in human blood; glucose meter for determining glucose; electronic scales; refractometer for determination of protein in blood serum and urine; semi-automatic blood pressure and pulse rate meters; urine analyzers; centrifuge; cardiopulmonary exercise testing device for determining maximum oxygen consumption and anaerobic threshold, calculating actual energy expenditure during physical activity, nutritional assessment, and measurement of basal metabolism.

This device has a weight management program (energy balance), nutrition software, including a diet planner; assessment of muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, body composition analysis, preparation of an individual training program, standard anthropometric measurements (blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, etc.).

Laboratory classes in human anatomy are held at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Pathomorphology of Animals named after Academician V.G. Kasyanenko.

Among other disciplines, future public health professionals study in detail: analytical chemistry, biochemistry, medical, food and clinical chemistry; human cytology and histology; pharmacology; medical and biological physics; Latin and medical terminology, mental health, human anatomy and physiology, general hygiene and epidemiology. In short, the training involves the acquisition of a thorough knowledge of natural science and specialty training necessary for quality work with future clients.

An important part of the department's work is the organization of scientific work with students and teachers. Oleg Shvets, the Head of the Department, positions participation in scientific conferences and seminars at the national and international level as an opportunity to learn the latest information about scientific developments and research in the field of nutrition from leading professors of domestic and foreign institutions, nutritionists, gastroenterologists, and leading practitioners. One of these events is already scheduled for early September.

Therefore, the newly created department of NULES of Ukraine is just beginning its history. We wish it to be a story of development, success and recognition! Recognition is multifaceted. This is the successful completion of the accreditation examination of the training of Bachelor's degree applicants in the specialty 229 "Public Health", and the priority given by applicants to the department's specialties during the admission campaign, and the recognition of the professionalism of graduates among the professional community, and customer satisfaction.

Alyona Altanova
Associate Professor of the Department of Public Health
and nutrition science