ciTechCare Research Presented at the Nutrition and Food Congress 2026

Several researchers, research fellows and undergraduate students from the Dietetics and Nutrition programme at the School of Health Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria participated in the 25th edition of the Nutrition and Food Congress (CNA), organised by the Portuguese Nutrition Association. The event took place on 28–29 May at the Porto Customs House Congress Centre, under the theme “25 Years Sharing Science.”

One ot the posters presented was “Determinants of Nutritional Status in School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Study in the District of Cantagalo, São Tomé and Príncipe,” co-authored by researchers Cátia Braga-Pontes and Sara Simões Dias and shared by student Érica Rodrigues. This work was developed within the framework of an internship at Helpo, a non-governmental organisation focused on development through education and nutrition, operating in Portugal, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau.

Student Mariana Chinita showcased the study “Exploring the Neuroprotective Potential of Rice and Corn Extracts through the Inhibition of Lysozyme Aggregation,” conducted in collaboration with researchers Cidália Pereira, Carla Guimarães and Vânia Ribeiro.

A third poster entitled “Promoting Tolerance to Legumes: Development of Chickpea Cookies with Reduced Galactoside Content,” was presented by student Susana Parracho and also co-authored by researchers Cidália Pereira, Carla Guimarães and Vânia Ribeiro.

The oral communication “Determinants of Food and Nutrition Literacy and Adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern in School-Aged Children,” resulting from the ATIVA+Saúde project, was presented by Maria João Batalha, a PhD fellow in Public Health – Health Promotion, and co-authored by Neuza Barros, Rita Novo, and Sara Simões Dias. The study aimed to characterise levels of food and nutrition literacy and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among children aged 10 to 13 years, while analysing their relationship with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.