Staff profile

Rita graduated from the University of Saint Joseph Beirut with a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2006. After her diploma, she studied for a master degree in Food Technology at the American University of Beirut and graduated with Distinction in 2008.

Rita is currently a PhD student in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University. Rita’s PhD study is about the promotion of healthy weight in pre-school children, and interventions that promote good nutrition and physical activity in this age group. In addition, Rita is assessing the existing national guidance in topic in Qatar and Lebanon, and conducting a needs assessment of guidance in collaboration with key government stakeholders in these countries.

• Nutrition and physical activity policy making
• 'Preschoolers’ health and well being
• The academic and behavioural performance of preschool students
• Importance of nutrition and physical activity in preschools curriculum

Conference Paper

• Rizk, R., Summerbell, C. D., Siddiqui, N., Omar, O., & Tahra, E.-O. (2022, December). Assessment of Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies, Strategies, and Guidelines, for Preschool Nurseries in Qatar and Lebanon. Presented at Advances in Pediatric Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle, Doha, Qatar, Qatar University, Nutrition Department

Other (Print)

• Rizk, R., Summerbell, C. D., Siddiqui, N., Obeid, O., & El-Obeid, T. (2022). Conference Poster: Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies for Preschools in Lebanon and Qatar