Health professionals for Obesity in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Zaxarodimos Nikolaos is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, a doctoral candidate at the Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life of the Agricultural University of Athens, and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. He graduated from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and holds a master's degree in "Molecular and Applied Physiology" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a research specialization in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Simultaneously, he collaborates with medical clinics, hospitals, and fitness centers, offering personalized nutrition programs and body composition analyses. His professional experience includes salaried practice at the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko," participation in research projects and scholarships within the framework of the "Research – Create – Innovate" initiatives, and active involvement with publications in international journals and conferences both in Greece and abroad. He also has experience as a lecturer and trainer for students, as well as extensive volunteer work in nutritional education activities. Furthermore, the specialist is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists and ACSM Exercise is Medicine Greece. Finally, at his dietetic office in Agia Paraskevi, he provides nutritional guidance for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and muscle strengthening.

Η Ζωή Μαυρίδου είναι Διαιτολόγος – Διατροφολόγος, απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Επιστήμης Διαιτολογίας και Διατροφής του Χαροκοπείου Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Με πάθος για την επιστημονική ακρίβεια και την εξατομικευμένη προσέγγιση, δημιούργησε το Κέντρο «Διατροφή Ζωής», με στόχο να παρέχει προσωποποιημένη καθοδήγηση βασισμένη στις ανάγκες και τις ιδιαιτερότητες του κάθε ανθρώπου.

Πιστεύοντας στην αξία της δια βίου μάθησης, έχει εξειδικευτεί περαιτέρω σε σημαντικά πεδία της διατροφής όπως:

• Διατροφή στην κύηση, το θηλασμό και τη γονιμότητα, μέσω προγράμματος του ΚΕΔΙΒΙΜ του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.
• Διατροφικές διαταραχές (βουλιμία, ψυχογενής ανορεξία, συναισθηματική υπερφαγία) με εξειδίκευση επίσης από το ΕΚΠΑ.
• Health Coaching, ολοκληρώνοντας σχετική εκπαίδευση στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, ώστε να ενισχύσει τη βιωσιμότητα των διατροφικών αλλαγών στην καθημερινή ζωή των συμβουλευόμενων.
• Εκπαίδευση στο πρόγραμμα “Πέρα από τα όρια της δίαιτας”, από το Κέντρο Ψυχολογικών Εφαρμογών (ΚΕ.Ψ.ΕΦ), που επικεντρώνεται στη σχέση με το φαγητό και τη βελτίωση της διατροφικής συμπεριφοράς χωρίς περιοριστικές δίαιτες.

Έχει επίσης ενεργή παρουσία σε εκπαιδευτικά και επιστημονικά δρώμενα, όπως:

• Παρακολούθηση συνεδριών, ημερίδων και ιατρικών συμποσίων που αφορούν την παχυσαρκία, τις τροφικές αλλεργίες, τις ΙΦΝΕ, την οστεοπόρωση και άλλα συναφή θέματα.
• Είχε συνεργασία με το Ινστιτούτο Prolepsis για εκπαιδευτικές δράσεις σε σχολεία με θέμα τη διατροφική εκπαίδευση παιδιών.
• Πραγματοποίηση πολλών ομιλιών σε παιδικές και εφηβικές αθλητικές ομάδες.

Παράλληλα, εμπλουτίζει συνεχώς τις γνώσεις της μέσω της παρακολούθησης μαθημάτων της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης Κλινικής Διατροφής και Μεταβολισμού (ESPEN LLL) και του World Obesity Organization (SCOPE), για την απόκτηση της πιστοποίησης “Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education”.

Με γνώμονα ότι «η διατροφή δεν είναι ίδια για όλους», η Ζωή Μαυρίδου εργάζεται με σεβασμό στη μοναδικότητα κάθε ατόμου, προσφέροντας ουσιαστική, εφαρμόσιμη καθοδήγηση και υποστήριξη. Όραμά της είναι η βελτίωση της σχέσης με το φαγητό και η ουσιαστική αλλαγή τρόπου ζωής, μέσα από επιστημονική γνώση, ενσυναίσθηση και ρεαλισμό.

Maggana Efi is a Psychologist - Clinical Hypnotherapist and operates her private practice in Kolonaki, where she addresses a wide range of psychological issues including anxiety disorders, depression, interpersonal relationship challenges, and personality disorders. She holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. Additionally, she earned a Master's degree in Occupational Psychology from the University of East London and a second Master's degree in Health and Occupational Psychology from the University of Paris, Université Paris 8.

Furthermore, she completed a one-year training program and internship in Clinical Hypnotherapy at the Institut Français d’Hypnose in Paris. She has professional experience as a Mental Health Counselor and HR consultant, having worked in France at the "Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre" in Paris and in Greece at the “EANP METAΞA” hospital.

She is currently undertaking further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the DDEEΨY (Department of Psychological Education and Clinical Training) and regularly participates in various professional seminars in Psychology.

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.

Manolopoulou Thomi is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology as well as in "Psychoanalysis and Social Field" at the University of Paris. Additionally, she has trained in Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums in Paris and is a member of the clinical training committee of the Athens Forum (Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums), serving as a lecturer and seminar facilitator. She has extensive clinical experience, having worked both in Greece and abroad in hospitals, NGOs, and other institutions, such as the Psychiatric Hospital of Prémontré in France (where she holds a position as Clinical Psychologist and seminar facilitator), the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of Château-Thierry Prisons, and the Reception Center for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Thessaloniki. Simultaneously, she provides supervision to trainee Psychoanalysts, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Educators.

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.

Aggelis Ilias is a Pathologist who runs a private practice in Neo Iraklio. He holds a Medical Degree from the University of Brescia in Lombardy, Italy, and has experience in managing dyslipidemias, infections, and arterial hypertension. He possesses extensive professional experience, having worked as a Pathologist in departments of major hospitals such as Hygeia Hospital and Konstantopouleio - General Hospital of Nea Ionia. Additionally, he is a member of the European Resuscitation Council, the Hellenic Diabetes Association, and the Athens Medical Association. Through his specialization in pathology at the 1st Pathology Clinic of Konstantopouleio General Hospital of Nea Ionia, the doctor is capable of treating a wide range of conditions in his specially equipped facility.

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).

Mpenetatos Nektarios MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Koukaki and Nea Filadelfeia. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the 1st Internal Medicine Clinic of the General Hospital of Elefsina “Thriasio” and in Endocrinology at the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes of the 1st University Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko". He has worked as an endocrinologist in the Endocrinology Unit of the Evgenidio Hospital and in the Clinics of Endocrine Disorders of Pregnancy, Menopause, and Osteoporosis, in the Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, and in the Andrology Clinic of the General Hospital "Elena Venizelou". Finally, he is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Athens Medical Society, and the Hellenic Endocrinological Society.

Dr. Panagou Maria MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Melissia and Koropi. She graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed her specialization in Endocrinology as well as in Pathology at the Endocrinology Clinic of the General Hospital of Melissia "Amalia Fleming." In addition to her private practices, she is currently the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the Medical Diagnostic Center "Praxis Ygeias," and previously served as the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the South East Aigaion Clinic in Mykonos. Finally, Dr. Panagou has particular expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis.

Kalatzopoulou Garyfalia Liana MD, MSc is a Specialist in Internal Medicine and maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. She is a graduate of the Athens College and holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She completed a postgraduate program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," and has extensive experience in the management of obesity, having handled hundreds of cases to date. Dr. Kalatzopoulou is an external associate of Metropolitan General Hospital and serves as the attending Internist at the Outpatient Clinics of the same hospital.

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.

Manta Dimitra is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist with private practices in Kolonaki and Agios Stefanos. She completed her undergraduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Portsmouth and gained extensive experience working in human resources and organizational management departments. Through this path, she realized the crucial role that psychological needs play in everyday life as well as the importance of managing personality elements. Consequently, she specialized in Business Psychology and pursued postgraduate studies in Counseling and Psychotherapy at the University of East London. Psychotherapeutically, she works integratively, adapting her knowledge to the unique needs of each individual, with a priority on creating a stable and safe environment in which the client feels comfortable trusting their inner self. She has specialized in anxiety disorders, self-development, and healthy relationships, and through group work, focuses on assertive behavior, self-awareness, and emotional attachment. Finally, considering education to be a continuous process, she consistently engages in professional development by attending training programs, seminars, conferences, and workshops.

Anastasopoulos Vasilis is an Internist at the General Hospital of Attica KAT with the rank of Senior Registrar and maintains a private practice in Nea Filadelfeia. He holds a Medical Degree and specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Attica KAT and the General Oncology Hospital "Agioi Anargyroi," as well as in Diabetes Mellitus at the University General Hospital "Attikon." He holds a postgraduate diploma in Occupational and Environmental Health from the National School of Public Health. He has received further training in emergency pre-hospital medicine at the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB), as well as in the 2nd Propaedeutic Internal Medicine Clinic of the University General Hospital "Attikon," focusing on lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease prevention. He has served as the scientific director at the Local Health Unit in Petroupoli and at the Health Center of Peristeri. He is a member of the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, the Society for the Study of Risk Factors for Vascular Diseases, and the Hellenic Lipidology Society. As part of continuous medical education, he has attended numerous scientific conferences and has contributed to the writing of scientific papers.

Sofias Aleksandros - Premedicare is an Endocrinologist, a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Following two years of training in the Internal Medicine Department of the 7th IKA Hospital and four years of work at the Aspropyrgos refinery clinic as an on-call physician, he specialized in the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos". There, he actively participated in the Endocrinology Laboratory - Dynamic Testing Unit, the endocrinology clinic, outpatient clinics, and specialized clinics for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, pituitary disorders, diabetic nephropathy, and osteoporosis. He gained significant experience in adrenal gland diseases, pituitary disorders, and thyroid cancer. Additionally, he has taken part in numerous weekly interdisciplinary clinical case discussions and literature updates of the department, coordinated by Director Dr. Stylianos Tsagkarakis. Since then, he has participated in numerous conferences and has served as a reviewing physician for MedNet Greece SA, while continuing to provide high-quality services to his patients.

Dr. Ioannis Virlos is a General Surgeon who maintains a private practice in Glyfada. He graduated from the Medical School of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, obtaining his medical degree in 1990. In 2000, he earned a Master’s degree in Surgical Sciences (MSc in Surgical Sciences) as well as a Diploma from Imperial College London (Diploma Imperial College), United Kingdom. In 2009, he was awarded a Doctorate (Medical Doctorate) from the University of Manchester, UK.He has been a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd.) since 1998 and of the Intercollegiate Board in Surgery of the United Kingdom (FRCS (Gen Surg)) since 2008. Since 2011, he has been a Fellow of the European Board of Surgery in the field of Colorectal Surgery (FEBS (Coloproctology)).Dr Ioannis Virlos is a specialized colorectal and bariatric surgeon, also trained in minimally invasive surgery — both laparoscopic and robotic. He has received training not only in Greece but also in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Belgium.After completing his military service in 1992, he trained in General Surgery in hospitals in Athens and the United Kingdom between 1992 and 1999, obtaining his specialty title in General Surgery in 1999. From 2002 to 2012, he served as a surgical consultant in hospitals in the UK, Australia, Belgium, and Greece. Specifically, he worked at the following hospitals in the UK: North Middlesex, Arrowe Park, Derriford, Torbay, Exeter, Cheltenham, and North Bristol, as well as at Sir Charles Gairdner University Hospital in Perth, Australia, and Sotiria Hospital in Athens (as Senior Consultant).During the same period, he received advanced training in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and laparoscopic bariatric surgery at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, UK, and Heilighart Ziekenhuis in Roeselare, Belgium.From 2012 to 2021, he worked as a Consultant Surgeon at the following hospitals in the UK: Ealing Hospital, Homerton University Hospital, John Radcliffe & Churchill Hospitals in Oxford, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Northampton General Hospital, and University Hospitals of Derby and Burton. He returned to Greece in 2021.Since 2023, Mr. Virlos has been the Director of Surgery at Metropolitan General Hospital in Athens. He also serves as the General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Coloproctology. Finally, for the period 2025–2028, he will represent Greece at the European Society of Coloproctology.