Infuse Issue 7 March 2019 | Page 34

Below: Anika at her first DAA event.
Images courtesy of @shenanigansofadietitian
.
When speaking with Anika, it’s
evident her true dietetics passion
is wrapped up in her current PhD
research. “Focused on young adults
because they have the worst diet
quality out of all other age groups
and typically see most diseases as a
‘future-me problem,’ it’s important
we find ways to better engage,”
says Anika.
“We also know young adults are the
highest users of smartphones and
social media. In fact, a typical young
adult checks their phone 56 times a
day. So, we’re looking at how we can
use this medium to influence young
adults to make healthier choices.”
“In testing this, my research more
specifically focuses on calcium intake
because this is a critical period for
developing peak bone mass. Our research
shows over 70% of the females in my age
group (19-30 years) are not having enough
calcium. So, I’m working on developing an
intervention for this population.”
As a young dietitian, following the research
pathway with an appetite for seeking
innovative ways to engage young adults,
so as to improve dietary habits, Anika is
forging a career for herself, in her own way!
We wish her all the best over the coming
years and look forward to following her rise
to stardom – we’re sure she’ll only continue
to grow from here!
LEARN MORE:
https://www.anikarouf.com
@shenanigansofadietitian
@anika_rouf
Connect with Anika on LinkedIn
© Dietitian Connection
34
Infuse | March 2019