Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Kormi Sofia is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, graduate of the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, and holds a master's degree in Applied Dietetic Practice from Queen Margaret University, Scotland. She is also a registered Dietitian - Nutritionist licensed to practice by the Health and Care Professions Council of the United Kingdom (HCPC registered). She specializes in Eating Disorders and Obesity through the Eating Disorders Training and Management Center (EDTMC), in collaboration with the National Centre for Eating Disorders of Great Britain (NCFED). During her studies, she completed an internship as a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist at the General Hospital of Athens "Alexandra" and at the General Hospital Asklipieio Voulas. Currently, she works as a private Dietitian - Nutritionist in Athens, handling a variety of cases. Her goal is to provide reliable and high-quality information on nutrition, helping individuals achieve and maintain their dietary goals, while contributing to the enhancement of their quality of life through a balanced and sustainable diet.

Dr. Traulos Aleksios, MD, is a Specialist Endocrinologist - Diabetologist with a private practice in Athens. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He completed his specialty training in "Endocrinology - Diabetes - Metabolism" at the University Hospitals "Laiko" and "Alexandra". He has extensive clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus (juvenile or type 1, adult or type 2, gestational), and osteoporosis. Specifically, the physician undertakes the implementation of continuous insulin infusion pumps in his practice for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, on a daily basis, he manages a variety of other endocrine disorders such as calcium metabolism disorders, dyslipidemias, obesity, menstrual disturbances, acne/hirsutism, adrenal and pituitary gland diseases. Dr. Traulos is a regular member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society and the Athens Medical Association. Lastly, he has participated in clinical studies and authored scientific papers, many of which have been presented at conferences and published in international journals.

Marinakis Euaggelos is an Internist - Health Coach, maintaining a private clinic in Chalandri, bordering Psychiko (Agia Varvara area of Chalandri). He studied Medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. With knowledge and extensive experience in internal medicine and ongoing education in health coaching, life coaching, behavioral psychology, and the fundamental principles of the Cognitive-Behavioral approach, Marinakis Euaggelos approaches the individual holistically and guides them with modern methods towards achieving their personal goals and aspirations in broader health and personal development matters. Well-being is an exciting challenge-goal in life, analyzed into physical and non-physical components, which include the individual, family, parenthood, and close or broader human relationships. Whether it concerns chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, bulimia, overeating, emotional eating, uncontrolled food consumption, cognitive restriction, and restrictive diets, psychogenic anorexia, or issues related to relationships and psychosocial aspects within the framework of health and lifestyle coaching, Marinakis Euaggelos possesses extensive training and experience.

Mpaltas Ioannis is a General Surgeon with a private practice in Nea Erythraia. He specializes in Minimally Invasive, Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery as well as Colorectal Surgery. Additionally, he has expertise in modern proctologic surgery (hemorrhoids, anal fissure, pilonidal cyst). He has extensive experience in the effective and safe surgical management of obesity, hiatal hernia, digestive system disorders, and abdominal wall hernias. Furthermore, alongside his private practice, he collaborates with major private clinics in Attica, including Mitera, Athens Medical Group (Peristeri clinic), Mediterraneo, Doctor's Hospital, and Attiko Hospital.

Foteini Nika graduated from the Department of Science of Dietetics - Nutrition at Harokopio University in 2016. She continued her academic path by completing the postgraduate program in Applied Dietetics-Nutrition at Harokopio University, specializing in Clinical Nutrition, where she graduated with distinction. Her master's thesis focused on the development and validation of a predictive index for assessing the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency in a pediatric school-aged population. Interested in continuous education and training, she has completed additional postgraduate courses in the following areas: "Stress Management & Health," National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), "Eating Disorders," NKUA, “Advanced Dietary Management and the low FODMAP Diet in IBS,” King's College London, and “Online Introduction to Paediatric Nutrition for Health Professionals,” Monash University. She has attended numerous conferences related to her field over time and has also served as a speaker at conferences, seminars, and workshops. She maintains her dietetic practice in Nea Erythraia. Within the framework of her professional experience, she has managed numerous clinical and sports nutrition cases in both adults and children. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Dietitians-Nutritionists Association. 

Angeliki Xatzimanoli, MSc is a Psychologist, certified Psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and graduated from the Department of Social Policy at Panteion University. Additionally, she has a master's degree in "Addiction Treatment - Addictology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens. Currently, she is training in "Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling" at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy of Athens (Ke.S.Me.Th.). Throughout her career, she has volunteered with the Non-Governmental Organizations "ActionAid Hellas" and the International Cybersecurity Institute (CSI). She served as a Psychologist for the NGO "The Home Project" and collaborates as an external associate with the Center for Special Therapies "Oikogeneia." She also writes voluntarily for the website ''efiveia.gr,'' focusing on family and its connection and collaboration with the online therapy platform Terappin. She has been trained in the application of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol (TF-CBT). She provides psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. It is noteworthy that she participated in authoring the European program "TRACeD," within the framework of actions for the awareness and prevention of online gender-based violence. In her private practice, she undertakes the assessment, monitoring, and psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, as well as issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Η Αρετή Δήμητρα Παινέση είναι Διαιτολόγος – Διατροφολόγος και εδρεύει στο Χαλάνδρι, πτυχιούχος του Τμήματος Διατροφής και Επιστήμης Τροφίμων από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Reading του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου, και κάτοχος δύο μεταπτυχιακών τίτλων (MSc Med Sci): στην Κλινική Διατροφή από το Πανεπιστήμιο της Γλασκώβης και στον Σακχαρώδη Διαβήτη & την Παχυσαρκία από την Ιατρική Σχολή Αθηνών.

Είναι επί σειρά ετών επιστημονική συνεργάτιδα στο ΙΑΣΩ Παίδων, όπου ασχολείται με τη διατροφική υποστήριξη παιδιών και εφήβων, τόσο για την απώλεια βάρους, όσο και για τη διαχείριση κλινικών περιστατικών, όπως αλλεργίες, δυστροφία και άλλες διατροφικές ή ιατρικές καταστάσεις που απαιτούν εξειδικευμένη υποστήριξη. Παράλληλα, διαθέτει πολύχρονη εμπειρία στη διαχείριση ατόμων με νοσογόνο παχυσαρκία που έχουν υποβληθεί σε βαριατρική επέμβαση καθώς συνεργάζεται με ομάδα εξειδικευμένων χειρουργών, όπως ο Καθηγητής Χειρουργικής Λέανδρος Εμμανουήλ και η Χειρουργός Μαρία Νατούδη, συμβάλλοντας ουσιαστικά στη διατροφική τους αποκατάσταση και στη μακροχρόνια διατήρηση της απώλειας βάρους τους. 

Επίσης έχει ασχοληθεί εκτενώς με άτομα με Σακχαρώδη Διαβήτη Τύπου 1 και Τύπου 2, εγκυμονούσες με διαβήτη κύησης, καθώς και άτομα με μεταβολικές και ενδοκρινικές διαταραχές (δυσλιπιδαιμίες, παθολογικές καταστάσεις του θυρεοειδούς).

Η φιλοσοφία της βασίζεται στην εξατομικευμένη, ρεαλιστική και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη προσέγγιση, με στόχο τη δημιουργία βιώσιμων συνηθειών και τη βελτίωση της σχέσης του ατόμου με τη διατροφή.

Οι συνεδρίες πραγματοποιούνται δια ζώσης ή online, με πλήρη αξιολόγηση και καθοδήγηση, πάντα με σεβασμό στις ανάγκες, το ιατρικό ιστορικό και τον τρόπο ζωής κάθε ατόμου.

Στο πλαίσιο των δια ζώσης συνεδριών, γίνεται χρήση σύγχρονου λιπομετρητή, για ακριβή ανάλυση της σύστασης σώματος (λιπώδης μάζα, μυϊκή μάζα, σωματικά υγρά), που επιτρέπει πιο στοχευμένη και αντικειμενική παρακολούθηση της προόδου.

Karagiorgos Panagiotis is an Endocrinologist and maintains two private clinics in Vrilissia and Atalanti, Fthiotida. He also collaborates with the "IAZO" Polyclinic as the head of the endocrinology department. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has specialized in Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Endocrinology Clinic - Diabetology Center of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos" and the Athens Children's General Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou." Additionally, he holds diplomas in Homeopathy from the "Hippocratic Center of Classical Homeopathy," the British School "The School Of Homeopathy," and the Portuguese Homeopathic Society. He possesses significant professional experience, having worked in both the private and public sectors, and also holds teaching experience as head of medical course instruction at the "Hippocratic Center of Classical Homeopathy" since 2007. Finally, in the context of his lifelong education, the doctor has participated in numerous scientific conferences and educational seminars in Endocrinology.

Skoulidi Virna BSc, MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Nea Ionia. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and has attended a clinical nutrition and dietetics seminar at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she possesses a master's degree in Nutrition, Public Health & Policies from the Agricultural University of Athens and in Nutritional Psychology from the CNP (Center for Nutritional Psychology). The specialist has worked as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at SALAS Catering Company and Fitpal Healthy Meals Company, as well as at the Elegance Aesthetic Center. Furthermore, she has worked in a Pulmonologist and Dietitian office, providing nutritional education to patients, body composition assessment, and designing individualized nutrition programs. Since 2016, she has been a contributor to magazines and websites related to wellness & fitness (Shape, Savoir Ville).

Dr. Kouveletsou Marina, MD, MSc, PhDc, is a Military Physician, Specialist in Internal Medicine – Diabetology, and maintains a private practice in Kallithea, while also serving as a Consultant at the 251 Air Force General Hospital. She is a PhD candidate at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a Medical Degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School and the Military School of Corps Officers (SSAS).

She specialized in Internal Medicine at the 1st University Teaching Internal Medicine Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens “Laiko” and at the 251 Air Force General Hospital. She holds a Master’s Degree (MSc) in “Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity” from the Medical School of the University of Athens with distinction (“Excellent”) and is specialized in diabetes mellitus and its complications at the Diabetology Center of the General Hospital of Athens “Laiko.”

She has completed certified training in Emergency Management (Advanced Life Support – ALS Provider) from the European Resuscitation Council, as well as emergency medicine training programs (Advanced Trauma Life Support – ATLS, Prehospital Trauma Life Support – PHTLS, Basic Life Support – BLS).

In her clinic, she manages cases of diabetes mellitus, obesity, arterial hypertension, elevated cholesterol, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, as well as general internal medicine conditions, approaching each patient individually with emphasis on prevention and early diagnosis.

She is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, the Hellenic Diabetes Association, as well as the Hellenic and European Atherosclerosis Societies. She has an extensive research background with published papers in international medical journals and presentations at Greek and international scientific conferences.

Η Ραάτ Έμιλυ MSc είναι εξειδικευμένη Κλινική Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος. Είναι απόφοιτη του Ελληνικού Μεσογειακού Πανεπιστημίου, με επιπλέον σπουδές στην Ιατρική Σχολή του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας. Έχει παρακολουθήσει σεμινάρια επιμόρφωσης στο Ευρωπαϊκό Ινστιτούτο Συμβουλευτικής και Ψυχοθεραπείας (EICP), με στόχο την ενίσχυση δεξιοτήτων που αφορούν την αποτελεσματική επικοινωνία και την ουσιαστική υποστήριξη των διαιτώμενων.

Το διαιτολογικό της γραφείο το οποίο διατηρεί στην Καλλιθέα. ειδικεύεται στη διατροφική υποστήριξη κλινικών περιστατικών, στην απώλεια βάρους, στη διατροφή κατά την εγκυμοσύνη και τον θηλασμό, καθώς και στη διατροφική εκπαίδευση παιδιών και εφήβων. Στόχος της είναι η ουσιαστική βελτίωση της υγείας και της ποιότητας ζωής, μέσα από μια ολιστική και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη προσέγγιση.

Παρέχονται εξατομικευμένα προγράμματα διατροφής, προσαρμοσμένα στις ανάγκες, τις ιδιαιτερότητες και τις προσωπικές προτιμήσεις του κάθε ατόμου. Ωστόσο, η προσέγγιση δεν περιορίζεται απλώς στη χορήγηση ενός διατροφικού πλάνου. Η κα Ραάτ πιστεύει βαθιά ότι η πραγματική αλλαγή έρχεται μέσα από τη διατροφική εκπαίδευση, την κατανόηση του σώματος και των σημάτων του, καθώς και την καλλιέργεια μιας υγιούς σχέσης με το φαγητό.

Η φιλοσοφία της βασίζεται στην ενσυναίσθηση, τον σεβασμό και τη συνεργασία. Κάθε άνθρωπος είναι μοναδικός και γι’ αυτό η διατροφική υποστήριξη λαμβάνει υπόψη όχι μόνο τις διατροφικές ανάγκες, αλλά και τις συναισθηματικές, κοινωνικές και πρακτικές παραμέτρους της καθημερινότητας. Στόχος δεν είναι η στέρηση, οι απαγορεύσεις ή οι ενοχές, αλλά η προσέγγιση της πραγματικής διατροφής που χωρά την απόλαυση, τη συνειδητότητα και τη βιωσιμότητα στον χρόνο.

Dr. Alevizos Alevizos is a General Practitioner/Family Physician (GP/FM) who owns and manages two private medical practices in Piraeus and Thrakomakedones in the Athens wide metropolitan area. He holds a degree in Medicine from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with postgraduate training in diabetes from Harvard Medical School in the USA. He completed his residency in General and Family Medicine at "Tzaneio" General Hospital of Piraeus.

He has served as the medical scientific director for the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and has also served as a Health Consultant for the Hellenic Cardiological Foundation.

Since the legalization of Medical Cannabis in Greece, he has been a pioneer in assisting patients with various ailments and medical conditions providing up-to-date medical care, substantially fulfilling unmet patients needs.

He is a certified medical cannabis specialist and prescriber.

He has extensive educational and research experience, including numerous announcements and presentations at Greek and international conferences, as well as publications in many major international medical journals.

Finally, he is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Vrynioti Pegky is a Dietitian - Nutritionist MSc and operates a private practice in Moschato. Simultaneously, she collaborates with physiotherapy centers as an external associate and also serves as a lecturer at private institutions. She studied in the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at the Mediterranean University of Crete and is a member of the Hellenic Dietitians and Nutritionists Association. In 2022, she completed her postgraduate studies at the Medical School of Athens, specializing in Therapeutic Exercise, with a focus on the management of lipedema and lymphedema. Additionally, she has attended numerous conferences and seminars and has participated as a keynote speaker in nutrition-related symposiums across Attica and the provinces. Finally, she has extensive experience in managing cases related to Weight Loss, Obesity and Metabolism, and Nutritional Counseling.

Prokopiou Maria is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist with private practices located in Mavili Square and Gerakas. She holds a master's degree in healthcare management from the Hellenic Open University and a degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes Unit of the First Internal Medicine Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at the General Hospital "Laiko". Additionally, she has attended Medical Acupuncture seminars at the International Postgraduate Acupuncture Center AcuScience. She possesses valuable professional and clinical experience in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic management of endocrine gland disorders, specifically thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, pituitary, and hypothalamus, as well as diabetes mellitus and obesity. She manages cases such as metabolic bone diseases - osteoporosis, female and male endocrinology, and hypertension. Finally, she is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Diabetology Society, and the European Society of Endocrinology.

Mr. Eksarxakos Mixail is an Internist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia, Attica. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Athens and has specialized in Internal Medicine. His clinical and research interests include arterial hypertension, dyslipidemias, oncological diseases, diabetes mellitus, and infections. He has accumulated over 30 years of professional experience, having worked in major hospitals across the country. From 2016 to 2021, he served as the Director of the Pathology Clinic at Euroclinic Athens, and since 2003, he has been a Scientific Collaborator at Hygeia Hospital and the head of a medical team. He has participated in many international conferences and has published numerous research papers. Finally, he is the Vice President of the Primary Care Society, a member of the Board of Directors of the Prostate Focal Therapy Society, and a member of the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine.

Η Ηλιοπούλου Τέτα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με πολυετή κλινική εμπειρία, η οποία ξεπερνά τα είκοσι έτη. Παρέχει υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας, πραγματοποιώντας συνεδρίες δια ζώσης και διαδικτυακά. Οι σπουδές της περιλαμβάνουν την επιτυχή ολοκλήρωση προγραμμάτων στην Kοινωνική Εργασία από το Chette College και στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Athens Synthesis Centre, ενώ βρίσκεται σε διαδικασία αναβάθμισης των ακαδημαϊκών προσόντων της στην ψυχολογία από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Essex. Από το 2005 ασχολείται με την συμβουλευτική ζεύγους, την προσωπική θεραπεία και συντονίζει ομάδες αυτογνωσίας – ψυχοθεραπείας. Από το 2010 διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Ιωνία Αττικής. Ενημερώνεται συνεχώς στον εξελισσόμενο χώρο της ψυχολογίας και ψυχοθεραπείας, μέσω σεμιναρίων και διαρκή προσωπική ανάπτυξη. Επίσης, συνεργάζεται με ψυχίατρο όπου απαιτείται και διατηρεί την εποπτεία των περιστατικών της. Η επαγγελματική βοήθεια παρέχεται στις περιπτώσεις που κάποιος επιθυμεί να διαχειριστεί ένα θέμα που τον προβληματίζει, είτε σε σχέση με τον εαυτό του είτε με άλλους, να αντιμετωπίσει μια ψυχική δυσκολία ή να διευρύνει την αυτογνωσία και την προσωπική του ανάπτυξη. Η θεωρητική προσέγγιση που ακολουθεί είναι συνθετική και περιλαμβάνονται: Η Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική για αναγνώριση και τροποποίηση του σκεπτικού και της συμπεριφοράς που δείχνουν αδιέξοδα. Η Ψυχοδυναμική για ιχνηλάτηση του παρελθόντος (πρώιμες παιδικές εμπειρίες) που έχουν διαμορφώσει ένα μοντέλο λειτουργίας του ατόμου. Η Υπαρξιακή στην οποία η έμφαση δίνεται σε αυτό που επιλέγει να κάνει το άτομο στο παρόν, το νόημα που του αποδίδει και η επίδραση στις σχέσεις του (στις ομάδες ακολουθείται μόνο η συγκεκριμένη προσέγγιση). Κυρίαρχη σε κάθε περίπτωση, η Προσωποκεντρική θεώρηση, όπου η έμφαση δίνεται πρώτα στον άνθρωπο και έπειτα στο πρόβλημά του. Υπάρχει η πίστη ότι κάθε άτομο διαθέτει θετικές πλευρές και ένα εσωτερικό δυναμικό, ικανό να υποστηρίξει την ανάπτυξη και την υπέρβαση των δυσκολιών της ζωής.

Rania Skioti is an Endocrinologist and maintains a private practice in Paleo Faliro. Upon completing her studies, she specialized in Endocrinology, Diabetology, and metabolic diseases. Additionally, she has experience and has worked, among others, in the Endocrinology Department of P.G.N.A "Alexandra". Finally, she specializes in diabetes mellitus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as pregnancy endocrinology.