Registration is open for the 28th annual Omaha Women’s Health & Wellness Conference, set for Friday, Nov. 7. The conference will provide a wide variety of health education lectures and a health fair with exhibits from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine departments, clinics and programs.
The conference is hosted by the Olson Center for Women’s Health, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. Continuing education will be provided for nurses and social workers. Registration fees are $75 for the general public and $110 for nurses and social workers. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 31. There is no virtual component for the conference.
This conference will feature two main sessions and multiple breakout sessions. Conference offerings can be viewed at the Omaha Women’s Health & Wellness Conference website.
At pediatric dietitian nutritionist Amy Volkman’s breakout session, she will explore the connection between food dyes, diet and children’s behavior. Volkman is a registered dietitian nutritionist in the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute’s pediatric feeding disorders department.
Many foods marketed to kids contain artificial dyes, raising concerns among parents, especially about possible links to hyperactivity. But the science can be confusing. Do we need to avoid food dyes completely? What kinds of health impacts do food dyes have? What foods actually contain them?
Volkman’s talk, titled “Behavior on a Plate,” will review the research surrounding food dyes to keep the audience informed of the most recent science. The talk will go beyond food dyes, as well, looking at overall diet quality and other nutrition concerns that could impact a child’s behavior. For example, deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can lead to behavioral concerns, such as irritability, low energy and gut issues. At the same time, children’s behavior, including neurodivergent traits, can influence their eating habits, creating a cycle that many families find challenging.
Instead of blaming one ingredient, Volkman encourages a more balanced understanding of how nutrition impacts behavior. Her presentation will help health care providers and parents better understand which diet changes might make the biggest difference and where to find the right support and resources for their child’s nutrition needs.
For more information about the conference and to register online, visit the Omaha Women’s Health & Wellness Conference website. With questions, call the Olson Center at 402-559-6345.