Health professionals for Childhood obesity

Vlaxos Thomas is a Dietitian-Sports Nutritionist based in Pallini. He is a top graduate of the Dietetics department at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland, and holds a master's degree in "Applied Sports and Exercise Nutrition" from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford. He has obtained anthropometry certification from ISAK GLOBAL, certification as an anti-doping advisor from the UKAD organization in England, holds the title of Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity under the auspices of the National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCfED) in the UK, and has been trained in Life and Executive Coaching. He has a record of publications, lectures, and presentations at scientific conferences and continuously updates his knowledge of advancements in the field of nutrition by participating in relevant seminars and conferences held both in Greece and abroad. He contributes articles to reputable Greek websites related to exercise and nutrition and delivers lectures in municipalities, schools, children's institutions focused on nutrition, and sports clubs aimed at maximizing athletic performance. On a daily basis, he helps both adults and children adopt a healthier lifestyle without deprivation through modification of dietary behavior, thereby contributing to the reduction of the risk of various diseases, as well as assisting athletes through optimal sports nutrition to enhance their athletic performance.

Makaratzi Viky is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and operates her private practice in Korydallos. She has worked in dietetic offices as a lead Dietitian and has attended numerous postgraduate seminars and conferences. Her philosophy is summarized as follows: "Our body is our home, and only we can take care of it, providing it with energy, mood, psychology, and health. All of this is achieved through a balanced diet. The number of kilograms is not important, but the weight that makes each individual feel comfortable with themselves. I am a companion on this journey to help each of you reach the best version of yourself."

Meladaki Dimitra Kai Synergates is a Dietitian - Nutritionist maintaining a private practice in Nea Ionia. She holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and a bachelor's degree in Dietetics - Nutrition Science from Harokopio University of Athens. Additionally, she has specialized in Obesity and Weight Management at the University of Glasgow. Throughout her career, she has provided voluntary dietetic services to the municipalities of Cholargos and Papagos, and currently collaborates with Harokopio University on research projects as well as with mednutrition to educate the public on nutrition-related topics. Furthermore, she is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists of Greece and has attended numerous conferences and workshops on Nutrition and Dietetics held in Greece.

Giourga Filanthi BSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Nutrition Science and Dietetics at the International Hellenic University. She has attended numerous seminars related to nutrition and has completed specializations in Clinical Nutrition and Eating Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her goal is to provide personalized nutritional solutions, tailored to the needs, lifestyle, and objectives of each individual. She focuses on weight management, improving health in chronic conditions, supporting cases of eating disorders, as well as nutritional education across all age groups. She believes that nutrition is not merely a diet but a lifestyle that can bring balance, well-being, and long-term health. Her purpose is to support every individual with guidance, encouragement, and positive energy, enabling them to develop healthy habits that will accompany them throughout their lives.

Natalia Syrimi is a Pediatrician - Military Doctor and maintains a private practice in Pallini. She graduated with honors from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and graduated as Head of School from the Military Officers School of Corps. She specialized in Pediatrics in Greece at the 1st University Pediatric Clinic of the Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia" and in the United Kingdom at Southmead Hospital in Bristol and Great Western Hospital in Swindon, where she completed her training. She holds a postgraduate diploma in pediatric infections from the University of Oxford. Previously, she worked as a Trainee in Neonatology in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, England, and as a Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist in the Pediatric Department of Great Western Hospital in Swindon, England. Currently, she also works as a Consultant Pediatrician in the Pediatric Department of the 251 Air Force General Hospital and is a member of the Hospital Infection Control Department with an active role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong research interest. She is a member of the European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) and has participated in numerous Greek and international conferences. Finally, she has specialized expertise and experience in neonatology, breastfeeding, and pediatric infectious diseases.

Vlami Mariantzela is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and Molecular Biologist - Geneticist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi, Athens. She graduated with honors from the Universities of Pisa and Trieste in Italy. She holds a master's degree in Dietetics - Nutrition and has also completed the "Clinical Nutrition" program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Continuing her studies, she successfully completed the Harvard Medical School Course "Genetic Testing and Sequencing Technologies," receiving a scholarship. She specialized in Medical Genetics with a focus on Nutrigenetics (Functional Genomics of Human Nutrition - Clinical Nutrition). She has worked in the Department of Medical Genetics and Clinical Nutrition at the Pediatric Hospital IRCCS B. G. of Trieste, in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University Hospital Cisanello of Pisa, and has extensive experience in counseling and nutritional education. Additionally, she has completed training programs in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Health Coaching. It is noteworthy that she was awarded by the University of Trieste for her experimental master's thesis entitled "Development of new genetic and immunological technologies in the diagnosis of celiac disease." She consistently participates in conferences and seminars, often as an instructor and speaker, staying updated on industry developments. Her method is based on nutrigenetic analysis, detailed history taking, and nutritional education, aiming for the highest possible personalization in nutrition to achieve optimal health and wellness outcomes based on the unique genotype, through the application of contemporary scientific knowledge and personalized approach. She holds a professional license as a Dietitian - Nutritionist in Greece with license number 701171 and a professional license in Italy with license number AA_083267.

Anna Kolokotroni is a Clinical Dietitian based in Thessaloniki. She studied Nutrition and Dietetics at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki and specialized in Clinical Nutrition with a postgraduate degree from the International Hellenic University. She gained experience in hospitals such as Theageneio and AHEPA, and has participated in the WHO's COSI program for childhood obesity. She holds a Diploma in Eating Disorders and Obesity from the United Kingdom. Since 2021, she has been operating a dietetic practice in the center of Thessaloniki, helping individuals improve their health and quality of life through nutrition.

Papavasileiou Georgia is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice at Mavili Square. She holds a degree from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University and graduated with honors from postgraduate studies in the "Science of Stress and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

She specialized in nutritional intervention with a psycho-educational approach and in modifying dietary behavior in adults living with obesity. In 2017, she obtained the Adult Educator Educational Adequacy title from EOPPEP. Furthermore, she continues her postgraduate education in the field of Clinical Nutrition through the lifelong learning program of ESPEN "Life Long Learning Programme on Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism" and possesses extensive experience in clinical cases.

She collaborated and trained for three years in the Diabetology Department of the Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Unit of the 1st Pediatric Clinic of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital. She worked on the Endorse program collaborating with families of children with Type 1 Diabetes. Currently, she follows several families of children with obesity and diabetes mellitus.

Dimitrios Tzirarkas is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. He has 27 years of professional experience and has handled thousands of cases. He is a graduate of the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition of the Thessaloniki Higher Technological Educational Institute. He specialized in Clinical Nutrition at the General Hospital "Asklipieio" in Voula, acquiring valuable knowledge with greater emphasis on Diabetes cases. In the past, he served as Head Dietitian at Weight Loss and Aesthetic Centers and worked at Avgirinopoulou IEK as an instructor in the field of Nutrition. He is a member of the Hellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists (HADN) and regularly attends specialized seminars and conferences in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Recently, he successfully completed the University of Thessaly's educational program entitled "Nutrition and Mental Health," obtaining specialization (master practitioner) in cases of Eating Disorders (Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, Night Eating Syndrome).

Giannopoulou Aggeliki MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Petroupoli. She holds a degree from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University of Athens and a master's degree from the same university in "Nutrition and Exercise." Since 2009, she has been a Scientific Collaborator with Harokopio University and the Medical School of Athens, participating primarily in European research programs focused on health promotion in the field of nutrition and community interventions. Additionally, since 2009, she provides dietetic services, and since June 2016, she has operated her personal dietetic office in Petroupoli, Attica. Her dietetic practice offers nutrition services tailored to individual needs, aiming to improve health and quality of life. The services provided include assessment and education sessions, personalized nutrition and weight management programs based on detailed medical and nutritional history for: the general population (children, adolescents, adults, elderly), specific groups (pregnancy, lactation, athletes), pathological conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, nephropathies, gastrointestinal diseases, eating disorders), as well as body composition analysis - adipometry (with segmental analysis capabilities), evaluation of fat and muscle mass, hydration levels, visceral fat, and assessment of basal metabolic rate and metabolic age.

Anna Georgiou BSc, MSc is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a degree from the Dietetics department of Queen Margaret University in Scotland and a postgraduate degree in "Applied Dietetics and Nutrition" from Harokopio University of Athens. She has worked as a Clinical Dietitian at the Athens Medical Center, and currently, in addition to her private practice, she works as a Dietitian-Nutritionist at IASIS Medical Diagnostic Centers. Finally, she is a regular member of the Hellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists.

Ο κύριος Λάιος Παναγιώτης είναι Παιδίατρος - Ομοιοπαθητικός - Αναπτυξιολόγος με ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στη Νέα Σμύρνη. Είναι πτυχιούχος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Δημοκριτείου Πανεπιστημίου Θράκης και υπ. Διδάκτωρ της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου LMU Μονάχου. Κατά την διάρκεια των σπουδών διεξήγε με υποτροφίες πρακτική άσκηση σε μεγάλα νοσοκομεία όπως Karonlinska στην Στοκχόλμη , Meyer στην Φλωρεντία, στην μοναδική ιδιωτική ιατρική σχολή Witten - Herdecke της Γερμανίας και στο μεγαλύτερο νοσοκομείο της Ευρώπης AKH Wien στην Βιέννη. Έχει εκπαιδευθεί σε μεγάλα παιδιατρικά κέντρα σε Αγγλία, Γερμανία, Ελβετία, στην Πανεπιστημιακή Κλινική του Νοσοκομείου Παίδων "Παναγιώτη & Αγλαϊα Κυριακού" και στο Ογκολογικό Νοσοκομείο Παίδων "Ελπίδα". Επίσης, έχει διεξάγει πρωτότυπη έρευνα στο αντικείμενο της Μοριακής Νεογνολογίας στο Πανεπιστήμιο LMU του Μονάχου, στα πλαίσια της Διδακτορικής του Διατριβής. Οι ποικίλες μετεκπαιδεύσεις του αφορούν στους τομείς της Παιδιατρικής Γαστρεντερολογίας (Πανεπιστήμίο Χαϊδελβέργης), αναγνωρισμένη από το ΚΕΣΥ, του Παιδιατρικού Υπερήχου (πανεπιστήμιο Χαϊδελβέργης & Ιένας), αναγνωρισμένη από το ΚΕΣΥ, της Παιδοκαρδιολογίας & Αναπτυξιακών διαταραχών, μέσα από την εμπειρία του σε ιδιωτικά παιδιατρικά ιατρεία σε Γερμανία και Ελβετία και της Παιδοπνευμονολογίας & Αλλεργιολογίας, ως συνεργάτης της πανεπιστημιακής κλινικής του Δημοκρίτειου Πανεπιστημίου Θράκης. Έχοντας πολύχρονη εμπειρία σε νεογνολογικές κλινικές της Ευρώπης και στο μαιευτήριο Λητώ και παρακολουθώντας σεμινάρια μητρικού θηλασμού έχει συμμετάσχει στην διαδικασία πιστοποίησης ως σύμβουλος γαλουχίας IBCLC . Ακόμα, έχει μεγάλη εμπειρία σε παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας μέσα από την εκτενή συνεργασία του ως παιδίατρος σε 9 δήμους της επικράτειας αλλά και σε παιδιά με χρόνιες παθήσεις δουλεύοντας μέχρι και σήμερα σε δομές αρωγής ατόμων ΑμΕΑ. Ο γιατρός έχει λάβει μέρος σε πλήθος συνεδρίων σε Ελλάδα και Ευρώπη και ενημερώνεται συνεχώς πάνω στις εξελίξεις του αντικειμένου του ώστε να παρέχει εξειδικευμένες υπηρεσίες στις ιδιαίτερες κι εξελισσόμενες ανάγκες των παιδιών. Στο πλήρως εξοπλισμένο & ανακαινισμένο παιδιατρικό ιατρείο του στην Νέα Σμύρνη παρέχει εξειδικευμένες υπηρεσίες για την παρακολούθηση παιδιών από τη νεογνική μέχρι και την εφηβική ηλικία καθώς και για τη διάγνωση, παρακολούθηση και αντιμετώπιση κάθε παιδιατρικής πάθησης και επείγοντος περιστατικού, καθώς και συμβουλευτική στους γονείς για θέματα εμβολιασμού, ανάπτυξης παιδιών και νεογνών, διατροφής κ.α. Παρέχει συμβουλευτική μητρικού θηλασμού. Τέλος, πραγματοποιεί και επισκέψεις κατ’ οίκον.

Paulou Xristina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Chalkida. She holds a degree from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the School of Health Professions and Welfare at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and completed her internship at the General Regional Hospital of Chalkida, with additional involvement in the Diabetes department aimed at dietary compliance of patients. The dietitian specializes in clinical nutrition (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, etc.), as well as techniques from the field of psychology for the management of chronic obesity. In her dietetic practice, she provides individualized nutrition programs for both normal and pathological conditions, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Additionally, nutritional genetic testing is conducted at the office. This method involves a genetic examination (saliva sample), based on the most current scientific data, which facilitates the extraction of extensive information through the unique genetic profile of each patient and significantly modifies the patient’s lifestyle. Finally, she actively participates in conferences on nutrition, clinical dietetics, obesity, and food, aiming at continuous professional development.

Kalentakis Dimitrios is a Pediatrician and maintains a private practice in Petroupoli. He studied at the Democritus University of Thrace, obtaining a degree from the Medical Department, and holds a degree in Biology from the University of Crete. He has worked as a Pediatric Resident at the General Children's Hospital of Penteli, gaining extensive experience, as well as a Family Pediatrician at the Local Health Unit of Petroupoli. In his fully equipped clinic, he addresses issues related to allergy assessments, gastroesophageal reflux, dyslipidemias, eczema, jaundice concerns, management of childhood obesity, and also performs vaccinations from the neonatal period through adolescence, aiming at the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of all relevant conditions.

Maria Mpalla is a Pediatrician - Child Neurologist and maintains a private practice in Psychiko, Athens. Concurrently, she collaborates with the Pediatric Clinic at the "MITERA" Children's Hospital and serves as a Scientific Associate in pediatric neurology at the 1st Pediatric University Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital. Additionally, she has worked as a Pediatrician at the Aristotle Corinthian Educational Institute. She possesses extensive experience in pediatric dermatology, counseling and techniques for proper breastfeeding, child nutrition, developmental pediatrics, and pediatric neurology.

Iordanidou Katerina is a Pediatrician in Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Thessaly and obtained her Pediatric specialization title in September 2019 following examinations. She began her specialty in the Pediatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Kavala and subsequently moved to the United Kingdom. She initially trained in the Neonatal Unit at Barnet Hospital in London and later at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she acquired extensive experience in general pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, and the emergency department. She received further training in pediatric endocrinology at the Royal London Hospital, working as a Senior Endocrine Fellow. She also worked as a Senior Registrar at Barnet Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, covering the Pediatric Department and the Neonatal Unit. Since 2013, she has been a certified ERC instructor in Neonatal Life Support (NLS Instructor). Since January 2023, she has maintained a private practice with modern equipment in the center of Thessaloniki, in a space designed to meet the needs of both children and mothers, including a breastfeeding area. With responsibility and scientific expertise, she undertakes the care of children from the neonatal period through adolescence.