The recommendations of the Eighth Women's Conference on Nutrition yesterday emphasised the importance of following Islamic teachings and developing proper eating habits in children.

The educational curriculum should help promote proper eating habits among students. There is a need for many more nutrition specialists, thus more people should be encouraged to enter this important field. The media should play a more effective role in educating the public on proper nutrition.

Islamic teachings should be followed because they emphasise natural breast feeding for the baby for two years.

"That's why it is important to give the working woman one hour free to be able to feed her newborn baby because this would protect the child's health." Legislation is needed to control artificial and genetically treated food products, and organic agriculture should be encouraged.

The consumer has the right to be informed about any product he buys. "That's why the role of the consumer protection society should be strengthened. The society should have the right to complain about any product or company on behalf of any consumer."

Mother and child care centres should provide mothers with information on healthy food, especially mothers expecting babies. "All pregnant women should be aware of the need to take folic acid pills which prevent the baby from acquiring deformities." Health programmes in the Gulf should be dedicated to combating the increasing number of diseases that result from poor eating habits.