The conference with the theme: “Destroying the stereotypes: Overnutrition the invisible pandemic” was co-organized by the Institute of Studies and Research of Western Greece, the “Leda, Nana and Spyros Doukas Foundation” and the Region of Western Greece.

– The Head of the Research and Development Department, of the 6th Health ADM of the Ministry of Health, Giorgos Karydas, has prioritized health policies for the prevention of childhood obesity, through the “Health4EUkids” program implemented in collaboration with the University of Patras.

“The goal of the program is to promote a healthy lifestyle in families with children, to increase physical activity and healthy eating in children, and to recognize and strengthen self-esteem in children who lack it, by implementing two best practices, Grunau Moves and Smart Family.”

–The Administrator of Karamandaneio Hospital, Aspasia Rigopoulou, from the Pediatrics-Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Clinic, presented interesting facts.

“Since 2007, with in charge doctor, Maria Iliopoulou, the specific clinic has been operating in the hospital, which sees 150 children on a monthly basis. 3,000 children, aged 0-18, are regularly monitored. Of these, 300 are obese or children who have developed health problems due to obesity.”

– The Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the University of Patras, Neokles Georgopoulos, analyzing the topic “The Janus of Energy” noted that “obesity is primordial and the problem is complex. It is the disturbance of the energy balance. We humans are biological beings of this planet and we carry within us, not only the genetic predisposition of our parents, but of all generations of humans going back millions of years. The most energy-consuming human tissue is the brain. The human brain consumes 20-25% of the body’s daily energy needs.”

To highlight the problem of obesity worldwide, Mr. Georgopoulos stated that “in 2012, approximately 56 million people died, 620,000 from human violence (120,000 from war, 500,000 from crime, 800,000 committed suicide) and 1.5 million people died from diabetes.” That alone shows what obesity means.”

– The Clinical dietitian-nutritionist, Iro Kottika, said “We have aging children. We take examinations into our hands which concern the bodies of the elderly and yet are of children. I have seen a 12 year old with grade 3 fatty liver. This alone is the first thing that should activate parents and get serious at home”.

Mrs. Kottika, describing the examinations of an obese child, listed the following: Bad lipid profile: High cholesterol, high triglycerides, fat in the liver, insulin resistance – type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, poor growth, hormonal disorders, early menstruation, disorders in menstruation, muscular problems, breathing problems, serious mental health effects – as obese children have low self-esteem – low school performance, bullying social stigma, socialization problems”.

– The Second supervisor of the Karamandaneio Hospital, Dimitra Alexopoulou, referring to what parents should know about the proper nutrition of their children, said: “If your child needs to eat something between the main meals, foods containing sugar should be avoided. We don’t snack. Prefer foods such as vegetables (carrot, celery, cucumber), fruits and natural juices (always without sugar) and yellow cheeses. Children accept healthy foods more easily if they are not previously used to foods with a high sugar content.”

– The Psychologist – child psychologist, scientifically responsible at the special treatment center “Motivation of Speech and Psyche, Athina Mastrantonaki, referring to the reasons why a child eats secretly, highlighted the following: Anxiety 91%, desire to eat something 84%, loneliness 78%, desire for special foods 77%, the thought of food 75%, returning home 72%, feeling bored 59% and hunger 44%. One way to deal with food cravings is to say to ourselves: OK, I’ve eaten what I thought was a meal and I’m still hungry… But that’s okay… It’s going to take 20 minutes for my mind to send the message to my body that I’m full. I’ll wait and see how I feel in 20 minutes.”

– The Athletics champion, Polytimi Manda, speaking about the role of sports in the prevention and treatment of overnutrition, emphasized that “we are what we eat, but also what we do. Food should be treated as fuel for the body and not as a source of pleasure. If the body that takes in energy does not move and does not consume, it cannot maintain its proper weight.”

Speaking in this section, “P” journalist, Kostas Lambropoulos, highlighted how important it is to organize mass sporting events that mobilize society, such as the international half-marathon that was organized this year. He announced that the 2nd Patras International Half Marathon will take place on April 7, 2024.

PREVENTION NET

Based on all of the above, there is an urgent need to develop a network to prevent and deal with child overnutrition. And in this direction, the deputy regional governor of Achaia, Charalambos Bonanos, the member of the Board of Directors of the “Leda, Nana and Spyros Doukas Foundation”, Vasiliki Njelve and the deputy mayor of Patras, Vivian Samouri pledged to cooperate.

In this effort, intervention in the school communities, which are already producing very important work, plays a decisive role. Part of this was presented during the conference led by the Head of Health Education of the Primary Education of Achaia, Artemi Papakonstantinopoulou.

Finally, the day ended with the demonstration of three healthy breakfast recipes by a chef in collaboration with the Vergis Educational Organization.