Health professionals for Childhood obesity

Ο Κλήμης Αθανάσιος είναι Διαιτολόγος – Διατροφολόγος και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στα Σεπόλια. Είναι απόφοιτος του τμήματος Διαιτολογίας του Queen Margaret University. Κατά τη διάρκεια της ακαδημαϊκής του πορείας εστίασε στην επιστημονική κατανόηση της διατροφής και στην πρακτική εφαρμογή της στην καθημερινή ζωή. Το 2021 ολοκλήρωσε την πρακτική του άσκηση στο Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Αττικόν, όπου απέκτησε σημαντική εμπειρία στη λήψη διατροφικού ιστορικού, στις ανθρωπομετρικές μετρήσεις και στη διατροφική αξιολόγηση ασθενών. Παράλληλα, παρακολουθει συνεχώς σεμινάρια, ημερίδες και επιστημονικά συνέδρια, με στόχο τη συνεχή εξέλιξη και ενημέρωση στο αντικείμενο της διατροφής. Τα τελευταία χρόνια έχει συνεργαστεί με διαιτολογικά γραφεία, ιατρικά κέντρα, αθλητικά σωματεία και γυμναστήρια, αποκτώντας πολύπλευρη εμπειρία στη διατροφική καθοδήγηση διαφορετικών πληθυσμών. Από το 2022 έχει αναπτύξει ένα σταθερό και συνεχώς αυξανόμενο πελατολόγιο, βοηθώντας ανθρώπους να πετύχουν τους στόχους τους μέσα από εξατομικευμένα διατροφικά πλάνα. Η φιλοσοφία του βασίζεται στη δημιουργία ρεαλιστικών και εξατομικευμένων διατροφικών πλάνων, που προσαρμόζονται στις ανάγκες, την καθημερινότητα και τους στόχους του κάθε ανθρώπου. Στόχος του ειδικού δεν είναι απλώς η απώλεια βάρους, αλλά η υιοθέτηση υγιεινών συνηθειών που οδηγούν σε μακροχρόνια αποτελέσματα και καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής. Παράλληλα, επενδύει συνεχώς στη γνώση, παρακολουθώντας σεμινάρια, ημερίδες και επιστημονικά συνέδρια, ώστε να προσφέρω πάντα σύγχρονες και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένες υπηρεσίες.

Dr. Chryssoula Driggopoulou is a board-certified paediatrician with extensive clinical experience and specialized training in paediatric nutrition, infectious diseases, and neonatology. She has studied and practiced both in Greece and the United Kingdom, and she remains fully committed to continuous scientific development and delivering high-quality care to children and their families.She completed her specialty training in Paediatrics between 2015 and 2019 at the East of England Deanery in the United Kingdom. She then pursued postgraduate studies in Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at the Democritus University of Thrace (2019–2021), followed by an MSc in Paediatric Nutrition at Boston University in 2021.Her professional experience began in 2013 at the Medway Maritime Hospital (UK), where she worked in a Level 3 Neonatal Unit. In 2014, she continued at Broomfield Hospital in a Level 2 Paediatric and Neonatal Unit. Since 2020, she has been working as a paediatrician at the General Hospital of Serres in Greece, providing comprehensive care to the children of the region.In parallel with her clinical work, Dr. Driggopoulou has participated in numerous seminars and scientific conferences. These include the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS Hellas, 2021), the Neonatal Life Support Course organized by the Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (2022), the Panhellenic Paediatric Pulmonology Conference (2024), and training in emotional resilience and mental health in children and adolescents during the Covid-19 pandemic, in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has also taken part in multiple National Paediatric Congresses and in the Continuing Paediatric Education Program by the University of Ioannina.She is an active member of the General Medical Council (UK) since 2013, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) since 2014, the Medical Association of Serres since 2006, the Hellenic Paediatric Society since 2020, and the Volunteer Academy HELPHELLAS since 2022.With scientific competence, international experience, and a human-centered approach, Dr. Driggopoulou provides high-quality paediatric care with an emphasis on prevention, empathy, and building trust with families.

My name is Maria Athanasopoulou and I hold a degree in Dietetics – Nutrition from the University of Crete. After many years of professional experience in the private sector, I decided to specialize by combining my knowledge of nutrition with my passion for children. I attended pediatric nutrition seminars and, seeking a more comprehensive education, I chose to pursue postgraduate studies in pediatric nutrition through the first accredited postgraduate program in Greece, offered by the University of Essex.

My philosophy as a nutritionist is to build strong and stable foundations in your relationship and your children's relationship with food. My primary goal is to provide guidance and education on new dietary habits to become a lifestyle, achieved through personalized and scientifically substantiated approaches.

Athanasia Pagoni MD, MSc, PhDc is a Pediatrician with a private practice in Chalandri. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has extensive experience in the field of pediatrics and obstetric care, having worked for five years at the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia," and since 2022, she has continued her professional career at the Maternity Hospital "Mitera." She has been an active member of the Athens Medical Association since 2012 and approaches her work with dedication, consistency, and a strong sense of responsibility towards her patients.

Kontogianni Eirini is a Pediatrician with 10 years of experience in managing acute and chronic cases and maintains a private practice in Charilaou, Thessaloniki. She handles the full age spectrum from neonatal to adolescent stages.

She graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and since 2021 has been serving as a Pediatrician at the "Agios Loukas" Clinic in Thessaloniki. Upon completion of her medical studies, she worked at the Skiathos Health Center, fulfilling her mandatory rural service. She worked as a resident physician at the General Hospital of Giannitsa, the General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio," and completed her specialty training at the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia" in Athens. During her specialty, she underwent training in the Adolescent Medicine Department, the Endocrinology Department focused on Metabolism - Diabetes Mellitus - Obesity, the Pediatric Neurology and Development Department, the Allergy Unit, and the Hematology - Oncology Department. The 6-month neonatal observation took place at the "Elena Venizelou" Maternity Hospital. The doctor collaborated with the Athens Medical Center and worked as a Pediatrician at the National Poison Control Center. Additionally, she served as an Auxiliary Registrar B' at the Children's General Hospital of Athens "P. & A. Kyriakou."

At her private practice, she undertakes the monitoring of growth and development of infants, children, and adolescents. She places particular emphasis on preventive medicine, proper parental guidance, and building a relationship of trust, offering personalized and scientifically substantiated care.

Xiotelis Ignatios is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in Ilioupoli while also conducting remote counseling sessions. He graduated from the University of Greenwich with comprehensive studies in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and has completed an Integrated Master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition at the Agricultural University of Athens. Combining his studies, he possesses a strong scientific background in both the biochemistry and physiology of nutrition as well as applied clinical practice. He has professional experience as a Dietitian - Nutritionist, providing personalized nutrition programs and comprehensive dietary support based on the individual needs and medical history of each person. He specializes in pediatric and adolescent nutrition, nutritional management of diabetes mellitus, clinical dietetics, nutritional counseling, obesity management, and metabolism regulation. Additionally, he works with nutrition and exercise, supporting individuals seeking to improve their body composition and overall health through a scientifically grounded approach. His goal is to develop realistic and sustainable dietary habits tailored to each person’s lifestyle, emphasizing nutritional education, prevention, and the long-term maintenance of results.

Aggeli - Kilitsian Maria is a Nutritionist - Dietitian and maintains a private practice in Elliniko, Attica. She is a graduate of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and holds a Master's degree (MSc) titled "Food, Nutrition, and Microbiome" from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace in Health Sciences. Her master's thesis focused on the "Correlation of the Microbiome with Depression and the Role of the Mediterranean Diet." Additionally, she is a graduate of the "Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders & Obesity" program, certified by the British NCfED (National Centre for Eating Disorders). She works as a freelancer with a professional practice license and has over 20 years of experience. From 2017 to 2020, she served as the head of the Dietetic Department at the Municipal Clinics of the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios, Attica, managing numerous cases of adult and pediatric obesity, diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, hypercholesterolemia, pregnancy, etc. Her practical training took place at the General Hospital "Asklipieio" of Voula. As part of her research thesis, she investigated the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, which she presented at the EFAD conference in Barcelona in 2011 and was ranked among the top 10 presentations. Furthermore, her work has been published in the EFAD e-journal: Angeli-Kilitsian M., Meintani J. Quality of Life in Greek Hemodialysis Patients Correlated with Anthropometric Evaluation, EFAD e-journal 2015;2(1):13-14. Within the framework of continuing education, she has attended seminars on topics such as "Diabetes Mellitus," "Genetics," "Special Education and Training," "Evidence-Based Medical Nutrition," and "Metabolomics and Clinical Application in Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases" at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as participation in workshops, conferences, and webinars.

Η Τσικρικού Ηλιάνα είναι Κλινική Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος και επιστημονική υπεύθυνη του Πρότυπου Κέντρου Διατροφής Nutriheal στην Νέα Σμύρνη. Σπούδασε στο τμήμα Επιστήμης Διαιτολογίας - Διατροφής του Χαροκοπείου Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και έπειτα παρακολούθησε το μεταπτυχιακό πρόγραμμα σπουδών με τίτλο Αρτηριακή Υπέρταση και Συνοδά Καρδιαγγειακά και Νεφρικά Νοσήματα της Ιατρικής Σχολής Αθηνών. Έχει ολοκληρώσει την μετεκπαίδευση στις Διατροφικές Διαταραχές μέσω του Κέντρου Εκπαίδευσης & Αντιμετώπισης Διατροφικών Διαταραχών (ΚΕΑΔΔ) καθώς και την μετεκπαίδευση στην Αθλητική Διατροφή του PeakPerformance. Έχει παρακολουθήσει πλήθος συνεδρίων και ενημερώνεται τακτικά για τις εξελίξεις στο χώρο του μεταβολισμού και διαφόρων νοσημάτων που χρήζουν διαιτολογικής εκτίμησης. Στη διάρκεια των σπουδών της πραγματοποίησε την πρακτική της άσκηση στο διαιτολογικό τμήμα του Γενικού Στρατιωτικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών 401 όπου και απέκτησε εμπειρία πάνω σε κλινικά περιστατικά. Στη συνέχεια, εργάστηκε ως διαιτολόγος-διατροφολόγος σε μεγάλη αλυσίδα γυμναστηρίων και σε διαιτολογικά γραφεία βοηθώντας άτομα να αποκτήσουν υγιές σωματικό βάρος και να βελτιώσουν τη σωματική τους σύσταση. Στο παρελθόν έχει προσφέρει τις υπηρεσίες της σε ειδικό κέντρο για καρκινοπαθείς με στόχο τη διατροφική υποστήριξη αυτών κατά τη διάρκεια και μετά τις αντικαρκινικές θεραπείες. Στόχος της είναι η καθοδήγηση των διαιτώμενων να αποκτήσουν υγιή σχέση με το φαγητό και νέες συνήθειες τα οποία θα τους βοηθήσουν να πετύχουν ένα υγιές σωματικό βάρος. Στο γραφείο παρέχονται υπηρεσίες εξαιρετικής ποιότητας με στόχο τη διατροφική εκπαίδευση. Πραγματοποιούνται σωματομετρήσεις και δίνονται εξατομικευμένα προγράμματα διατροφής βάσει των αναγκών και των προτιμήσεων του κάθε διαιτώμενου. Απευθύνεται σε άτομα όλων των ηλικιών που αντιμετωπίζουν δυσκολίες με το σωματικό τους βάρος, σε άτομα που χρειάζονται διαιτολογική παρακολούθηση λόγω προβλημάτων υγείας αλλά και σε άτομα που θέλουν απλώς να βελτιώσουν τις διατροφικές τους συνήθειες.

Pardali Eleni is a graduate Dietitian - Nutritionist, licensed to practice, and a PhD candidate in the Department of Medicine at the University of Thessaly.

She graduated from the Department of Nutrition Science & Dietetics at the International Hellenic University (IHE) in Sindos. Her undergraduate thesis, which was graded Excellent, focused on the damage to 5’,8-cyclo-2’-deoxypurines of DNA, the diseases associated with them, and the potential protective effects of antioxidant compounds against such damage.

Subsequently, supported by a scholarship, she completed her Master's studies specializing in “Nutrigenomics and Personalized Nutrition” at the University of the Balearic Islands (Universitat de les Illes Balears, UIB) in Mallorca, Spain. She graduated with distinction, as well as her diploma thesis, which addressed the epigenetic effects of maternal nutrition on the fetus during pregnancy, as well as nutritional components of breast milk that may contribute to the potential reversal of alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism. During her stay in Mallorca, she served as a research intern at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition, and Biotechnology (LBNB) at UIB, where she completed her practical training.

Since 2022, she has been a member of the Immunonutrition Unit of the Rheumatology & Immunology Clinic at the University General Hospital of Larissa (PGNL) and an external collaborator of the private clinic “Thessalia General Clinic.”

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.

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.

Giannitsopoulou Kallia MSc, MBA, SRD is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, practicing continuously since 2003. In 2005, she established the Scientific Dietetic Center "Healthy Body," where she has helped over 3000 individuals find solutions to body weight issues to date. She graduated with honors from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (2002) and obtained two postgraduate degrees: a Master's in Clinical Nutrition (MSc) from the University of Surrey with distinction (2003) and an MBA (2011) from the University of Leicester. Additionally, she has studied Life Coaching (Dip in Coach.) and successfully applies self-improvement techniques in nutrition sessions. The combination of coaching knowledge and clinical nutrition optimizes results in weight management as it aids in a better psychological approach to the individual. Ms. Giannitsopoulou has a rich portfolio of publications since 2005 in health magazines and newspapers and is intensively engaged in weight loss, clinical nutrition, eating disorders, and nutrition across life stages.

Olga Kakoulidi is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in Neos Kosmos. She holds a degree from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Thessaloniki Higher Technological Educational Institute. She has completed further training with an emphasis on communication skills, participated in the counseling skills program "Beyond the Limits of Diet," as well as in the program for the investigation, identification, and treatment of eating disorders at the Psychoanalytic Research Center of Athens. Additionally, the Dietitian - Nutritionist regularly attends conferences, workshops, and seminars to stay informed about the latest developments in her field. In her private practice, she provides specialized dietary programs for adults, the elderly, athletes, children, and adolescents, and is capable of managing numerous conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Finally, her primary concern is to achieve the visitor's goal without the feeling of deprivation.

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).

Ioanna Xatziemmanouil is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Nikaia. She holds a degree from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University, specializing in Pediatric Nutrition, having completed the educational program “Master Nutritionist in Pediatric Nutrition.” She possesses clinical and scientific experience and is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists. Additionally, she has attended numerous workshops and conferences.

Giannopoulou Sotiria MD, MPH, IBCLC is a Pediatrician - Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant and maintains a private practice in Kalamata. She graduated from the Medical School of the University of Ioannina and completed a Master's Degree in Public Health with a focus on Social and Preventive Medicine at the Medical School of the University of Patras. Her thesis addressed childhood obesity. She served as a mandatory rural service physician in Konitsa, Ioannina. She began her pediatric specialty training at the Pediatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Zakynthos and completed it at the Pediatric Clinic of the General Children's Hospital of Patras "Karamanadaneio," where she participated in the Endocrinology and Neurology clinics, the Mediterranean Anemia Unit, and the Neonatal Unit. She has also worked as an on-call physician in private healthcare units and as the Chief Medical Officer at recreational facilities and football matches in Ioannina. She was responsible for teaching anatomy, physiology, dermatology, hygiene, and first aid courses at the Vocational Training Institute of the Manpower Employment Organization during 2019 - 2020. She considers it important to continuously expand and validate her scientific knowledge through ongoing training by participating in conferences, seminars, and reviewing international literature. Additionally, she has authored numerous articles and presentations at Greek and international conferences. Finally, she is a lactation consultant and has experience in pediatric nutrition, managing childhood obesity, as well as endocrinological issues.