Omid Eslami

Omid holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition Science, graduating from Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2018. He has a research background in children’s nutrition, collaborating with several projects in this field. In addition, he has experience working as a Public Health Nutritionist in the community health centers in his home country, providing nutrition counseling and education for parents of children under five years of age.

Title

Examination of Parental Knowledge of Vitamin D and Iron and Adherence to Supplementation Recommendations for Children aged 1-to 5- years

Project About

National reports highlight inadequate intakes of vitamin D and iron among Irish children, aged 1- to 5- years, two nutrients that are pivotal for optimal growth in early childhood. Considering the vital role of parents in shaping dietary habits, this project aims to explore parents’ awareness and perceptions of vitamin D and iron in diets of their children and compliance with supplementation recommendations arising from new Department of Health Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-to-4-year-olds.

Practical Impact of Project

This PhD project will identify the gaps in parental knowledge of these micronutrients and assess adherence to current iron and vitamin D supplementation polices among young children. The findings of this project will inform future health promotion campaigns to support parents establish good eating and supplementation practices to help achieve optimal intakes of iron and vitamin D for this vulnerable age group.

Major finding of project

The project is in the initial stage and data collection has not started yet.

Publications

Supervisors

Dr Áine O’Connor (Lead Supervisor) and Dr Geraldine Cuskelly (Co-Supervisor)