Nutrition Programs of Higher Education in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: A Descriptive Snapshot

Abstract

This report stresses the importance of promoting capacity building and training of nutritionists and dietitians as vital strategies in addressing nutrition-related health problems and improving health outcomes in occupied Palestinian territories (OPT). Higher education institutions play a vital role in this process. The report identifies degree-granting nutrition programs available in OPT in both Arabic and English by carrying out an electronic review of universities and college websites, department web links, and academic program home pages. Out of the 52 accredited institutions in the OPT, 10 offered nutrition degree programs of which four are located in the Gaza Strip and six in the West Bank. Nutrition-affiliated programs included bachelor’s degrees in nutrition sciences and public health, health nutrition, nutrition and food technology, nutrition and dietetics, therapeutic nutrition, and nutrition and food processing. Two universities offered a master’s degree in clinical nutrition in addition to a bachelor’s program. None of the selected educational institutions offered a doctoral degree program. The number of universities in OPT offering bachelor’s degree in nutrition affiliated programs is relatively high as compared to neighboring Arab countries. Additional development of graduate programs to strengthen the dietetics/nutrition profession in OPT is warranted.

A higher education snapshot of nutrition degree programs in Iraq: implications for public health and nutrition practice

“…Specifically, Iraq houses eight institutions offering programs in Food Science or Food Science and Technology. This outperforms Palestine, with only five universities offering such programs (Mansour et al, 2022b) and Yemen, where only two institutions offer similar curricula (Mansour et al, 2022a). However, Iraq lags behind Jordan, which demonstrates a strong commitment to this field of study, with fifteen universities providing nutritionrelated programs (Bakri et al, 2020).…”

“…Iraq, akin to Palestine, is grappling with public health and nutritional challenges due to dietary habits and economic and political instability. Interestingly, Palestine has more universities and colleges offering nutrition education programs (Mansour et al, 2022b), implying that the number of such programs doesn't necessarily translate to improved nutritional outcomes. Both countries, thus, need to emphasize not only the quantity but also the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of these programs.…”

“…Specifically, Iraq houses eight institutions offering programs in Food Science or Food Science and Technology. This outperforms Palestine, with only five universities offering such programs (Mansour et al. , 2022b) and Yemen, where only two institutions offer similar curricula (Mansour et al.…”

“…It is established beyond doubt that strong health systems require adequate, well-distributed, appropriately trained, motivated, well supported and managed human resources (HR) (Amde et al, 2014). Contemporarily, it is critical to train qualified nutritionists, dietitians and health professionals in affiliated postsecondary educational institutions that aim to enhance nutrition and public health knowledge and skillsets; appropriately trained professionals in these areas can implement clinical and community intervention plans and advocate for policies supportive of health promotion to prevent disease onset and improve health outcomes (Mansour et al, 2022a;Mansour et al, 2022b;Bakri et al, 2020, United Nations Department of Economic andSocial Affairs Sustainable Development, 2024). This paper highlights the necessity of establishing partnerships between government and educational institutions to increase access to advanced nutrition education programs at affiliated Iraq universities or colleges for health professionals.…”

“…Contemporarily, it is critical to train qualified nutritionists, dietitians and health professionals in affiliated postsecondary educational institutions that aim to enhance nutrition and public health knowledge and skillsets; appropriately trained professionals in these areas can implement clinical and community intervention plans and advocate for policies supportive of health promotion to prevent disease onset and improve health outcomes (Mansour et al. , 2022a; Mansour et al. , 2022b; Bakri et al.…”