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Before I read the address of the Minister of Defence, Mr.Michael Yiorgallas, I would like, first of all, to express the Minister's thanks to the organisers of the conference for the invitation to be here today. Unfortunately, however, due to an extraordinary official obligation, it was not possible for him to attend.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome today's conference, which is organized by the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, during which the results of the research conducted on the body measurements and dietary habits of National Guard soldiers will be presented.
It is universally accepted that the implementation of a healthy dietary programme in combination with exercise is a basic prerequisite for the good health of each of us and a necessary prerequisite for maintaining the quality of daily life and longevity.
The quality and nutritional adequacy of food provides, among other things, the necessary strength, endurance, speed and agility to the body, while helping it to regenerate and regenerate cells, keep the immune system functioning at high levels and protect itself from exogenous risks.
And when proper nutrition is combined with physical exercise, it can contribute significantly to maintaining physical and mental health and well-being.
As the Ministry of Defence we recognise that military service is a special period in the lives of soldiers, which according to studies - mainly abroad - is characterised by significant changes in eating habits, level of physical activity and physical fitness.
In order to avoid undesirable situations and to contribute in our turn to the general requirement for a healthy society, it was decided that the integration of a healthy diet in the everyday life of our soldiers, the information and encouragement to avoid easy and unhealthy solutions and the introduction of physical exercise in the training program of the National Guard units are elements of primary importance. Because in a healthy group of soldiers, their mood, energy, morale and ultimately their fighting ability increases.
In this context, in October 2018, it was decided, among other things, to prepare and distribute ready-made food - catering in camps and outposts of the National Guard of the Nicosia and Larnaca Districts.
In this context, in October 2018, it was decided, among other things, to prepare and distribute ready-made food - catering in camps and outposts of the National Guard of the Nicosia and Larnaca Districts. At this stage, after five years since the pilot implementation of the institution, procedures are underway to announce a new tender with its extension to camps in Famagusta District.
It is worth noting that, so far, with the implementation of the institution of ready-to-eat food, the National Guard has benefited twice as, on the one hand, a large number of people who were employed on a daily basis with the catering of the camps and the preparation of the rations have been released, and on the other hand, an improvement in the quality of nutrition and a greater variety of food consumed by the personnel of the Force has been observed.
Our priority is to make recruiting youth aware of the impact of proper nutrition on human development and the nutritional value it provides to the human body. They should also become aware of the importance of the variety of foods in the diet and become aware of modern nutritional problems (fast and convenience food), with the ultimate aim of acquiring good eating habits that they can use as a resource for the future.
With this in mind, the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists of Cyprus was concluded in July 2019, which was renewed in 2022 until June 2024.
Looking forward to deepening and strengthening our cooperation, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the Cyprus Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists, and in particular to its President, Dr. Eleni Andreou, for her unceasing interest and the tremendous effort she puts in, among other things, creating a culture of healthy nutrition among the conscripts, providing clinical dietetic services to our personnel and providing training on related issues.
Thank you.
(The address was delivered on behalf of the Minister of Defence by the Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Andreas P. Louka).
(OP/GC)
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