The Nutrition and Dietetics Program at the School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, led 65 third-year volunteer students to provide community-based academic services for elderly residents in Mae Sai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phayao Province on December 13, 2025. This activity was organized as part of the project "Quality Aging through Personalized Nutrition Information: Smart Eating, Body Awareness, and Healthy Aging", which is a part of the Healthy Achievement Center at the University of Phayao. The goal of this project is to establish a concrete and sustainable system for elderly care within the community.
This activity represented the second round of nutritional status assessments, following the initial assessment conducted in late August. More than 120 elderly participants from the local community received health screenings and personalized nutrition counseling. The program plays a key role in promoting health, monitoring nutritional risks, and preventing disease among older adults in the community.
The fieldwork emphasized the integration of academic learning with community service. The volunteer students gained comprehensive hands-on experience in professional nutrition practice, including anthropometric and body composition assessments, dietary intake evaluation using the 24-hour dietary recall method, nutritional data analysis, and the provision of individualized dietary recommendations tailored to each elderly participant’s health condition.
In addition to enhancing the quality of life and well-being of elderly residents in Mae Sai Subdistrict, the project strengthened students’ academic knowledge, communication skills, professional confidence, and awareness of the important role of nutritionists in serving society. The initiative aligns with the University of Phayao’s mission to promote sustainable community and social development.