Health professionals for Obesity

Maria Giannakou is an Endocrinologist and operates a private practice in Vrilissia. She specializes in Diabetes and Metabolism and holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her doctoral thesis focused on chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and the nutritional and oxidative factors influencing its progression. She has extensive experience in university and hospital settings, having trained at the Center of Expertise for Rare Endocrine Diseases of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos," as well as in the 1st Oncology Clinic of the General Oncology Hospital "Agioi Anargyroi." Currently, she is a consulting endocrinologist at the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Athens and at Medifirst in Marousi. She is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, and the Endocrinological Society, remaining actively informed of scientific developments in her field.

Konstantina Eksarxopoulou MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Athens. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Harokopio University of Athens and completed the postgraduate program "Stress Management and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a Scientific Associate at the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital and an external collaborator at the multidisciplinary physiotherapy rehabilitation and physical wellness center "Physiopolis". Additionally, she serves as the Lead Dietitian for the "Alliance for Health - Nutrition" program and as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at the Athens General Hospital "Laiko" and at the Nursing Foundation of the Army Share Fund (NIMTS). Finally, she is a member of the Scientific Society for Stress Management and Health Promotion.

Eustratiou Amalia BSc, MSc is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Nea Erythraia. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies from the Medical School of Queen Mary University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from The Open University in London. She has specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy for adults and adolescents, as well as in Systemic Psychodrama at the Center for Applied Counseling and Psychotherapy (KE.PSY.SY). Additionally, she has specialized in Clinical Hypnosis (Biothymic Psychotherapy). Finally, as part of her lifelong learning, the Psychologist has attended numerous seminars in Greece and abroad focusing on Psychology.

Karageorgou Xrysoula is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Clinical Hypnotherapist and maintains a private practice in Karditsa. She completed her studies in Psychology at the State University of New York. She holds a Master's Degree in Special Education focusing on language and mathematics difficulties from the University of Thessaly in Volos. Additionally, she has been trained and further educated in psychology, counseling, life coaching, school and clinical psychology at the University of the Aegean, and in Clinical Hypnotherapy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has worked as a psychologist in public and private Vocational Training Institutes (DIEK), at the University of Thessaly in Volos, and since 2017 has been working with the UNHCR - ESTIA Program. In her practice, she handles cases related to mental health, with a specialization in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, counseling, and clinical hypnotherapy.

Athleatgr - Katsarlinou Elena is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and the scientific head of the dietetic office.

A team of specialized dietitians-nutritionists operates on site with a unified scientific approach and the goal of personalized nutritional guidance.

Our team's approach is based on scientific evidence and the unique needs of each individual, aiming for optimal performance, recovery, and the promotion of overall well-being.

Sotiropoulou Lida is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and operates a private practice in Patissia. She studied in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Hellenic Mediterranean University, from which she graduated in 2018. In 2021, she completed the postgraduate program "Science of Stress and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with distinction ("Excellent"). Her thesis was titled "Stress management, the establishment of healthy behaviors, and their impact on heart rate variability and biological age." She has attended the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens training program on Eating Disorders. She collaborates with Alterlife gyms. She is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists, the Hellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists, and I.N.A.K.E.N.

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.

Aleksaki Sofia is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and a PhD candidate at École des Ponts ParisTech in France, with a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She specialized in Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus, and Metabolism at Venizeleio General Hospital of Heraklion, where she further specialized in Diabetology. She also has many years of clinical and research experience in Greece, the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium.

Nektarios Oikonomou is a Psychologist with private practice offices in Markopoulo and Porto Rafti. He graduated from the Department of Psychology at UCLAN University (2017-2021) and has enhanced his knowledge with specialized studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT, Social Clinical Psychology of Addictions, Sports Psychology, and Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families), strengthening his ability to approach psychological issues from multiple dimensions.

Professionally, he maintains private practice offices in Markopoulo and Porto Rafti, offering psychotherapy services, addiction treatment, psychological support, and counseling.

He is also active as a sports psychologist with PAO Kalyvia (2024-present), where, combined with his status as a final-year student at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (TEFAA), he employs a comprehensive scientific approach that links mental empowerment with physical performance, supporting athletes in enhancing mental resilience and competitive performance.

Additionally, he has collaborated as an addiction counselor at KETHEA DIAVASI (2020-2021). In the field of addictions, he integrates his scientific training with profound experiential understanding of addiction and recovery mechanisms, which enhances empathy and the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach.

Tsoukala Xrysoula Md is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Subsequently, she specialized in Pathology and then in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the General University Hospital "Attikon" as well as at the Athens Children's General Hospital "Pan. & Agl. Kyriakou." Additionally, she has attended postgraduate courses in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. The physician has many years of clinical experience and is specialized in diabetes mellitus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as in the management of obesity and metabolic disorders. Finally, she has participated in numerous scientific conferences both in Greece and abroad.

Memi Eleni MD, MSc, PhD is an Endocrinologist who maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. She also serves as a Scientific Collaborator at the Palaiou Faliro Clinic of the Athens Medical Center and as an Academic Fellow in the 2nd Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the "Aretaieio" Hospital. She holds a Doctorate in Medicine from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she also earned her medical degree and a postgraduate specialization in "Medical Research Technology." She specialized in Endocrinology and worked as a resident physician in the Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases Department at the University Hospital "Carémeau" in France, as well as in the Bone Diseases Department at the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. Furthermore, she received training in the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Department at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland, and completed her endocrinology training at the Endocrinology Department - Diabetology Center of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos." Finally, she has attended numerous conferences and postgraduate seminars in Greece and abroad and has contributed to multiple research projects that were presented at Greek and international conferences and published in scientific journals.

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.

Fountouli Nefeli - Maria is a Specialist in General and Family Medicine with clinical experience in managing chronic diseases, focusing on diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolism. She is certified by SCOPE (Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education) from the World Obesity Federation, with specialized training in the modern and scientifically validated management of obesity. Dr. Fountouli is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Crete and holds a Master's Degree in Leadership, Innovation, and Value-based Health Policies. She collaborates with the Diabetes Unit and Obesity Unit of a major private medical center and participates as a researcher in international clinical studies. She provides personalized, holistic care grounded in scientific evidence and a patient-centered approach, addressing both preventive and therapeutic needs in adults.

Oikonomopoulou Eudokia - Evina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She completed her studies in dietetics at the University of Hertfordshire and Biology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she holds a Master Nutritionist in Autoimmune Disorders (EL.D.E.) from the Hellenic Nutrition Society. She has been trained in Genetic Counseling at the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in Health Coaching for healthcare professionals, and in Contemporary Applications of Sports Nutrition from Academy Life. Furthermore, she completed her internship at IASO. She is specialized in diet and nutrition and addresses a wide range of issues related to breastfeeding, sports nutrition, diabetes mellitus, nutritional counseling, obesity, metabolism, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Andreas Thomopoulos is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist with a private practice in Marousi. He holds a degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Naples, Italy, and specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Attica "Amalia Fleming," in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital "Elena Venizelou," and in Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Endocrinology and Diabetology Department of the Regional General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas." Additionally, he specialized in ultrasound imaging of endocrine glands at the Radiology Department of the Specialized Anti-Cancer Hospital of Piraeus "Metaxas." He is the head of the Endocrinology Department at the Bioclinic of Athens and has served as the head of the Endocrinology - Diabetology Department at IKA Marousi. He regularly attends numerous postgraduate seminars and conferences as part of his continuous education and has published papers in both Greek and international scientific journals. He is a member of European and Greek associations, as well as scientific societies.

Η Κλινική Παχυσαρκίας του Νικολάου Θεοδωράκη, MD, PhD(c), πιστοποιημένου ειδικού (SCOPE) στην παχυσαρκία και επιστημονικά υπεύθυνου της Κλινικής Παχυσαρκίας του doctoranytime, δημιουργήθηκε με στόχο την επιστημονική, εξατομικευμένη και ρεαλιστική αντιμετώπιση της παχυσαρκίας και του αυξημένου σωματικού βάρους. Σε μια εποχή γεμάτη αντικρουόμενες πληροφορίες, εξαντλητικές δίαιτες και μη επιστημονικές «γρήγορες λύσεις», η ομάδα μας εστιάζει σε σύγχρονες, επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένες διατροφικές και φαρμακευτικές παρεμβάσεις με στόχο βιώσιμα και μακροχρόνια αποτελέσματα.

Η διατροφική προσέγγιση της κλινικής βασίζεται στις αρχές της διατροφής ακριβείας (precision nutrition), με εξατομίκευση σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες, τις συνήθειες, τον τρόπο ζωής και τους στόχους κάθε ατόμου. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται:

• στον αποτελεσματικό έλεγχο της όρεξης και του κορεσμού

• στη σωστή κατανομή πρωτεΐνης για διατήρηση ή αύξηση μυϊκής μάζας

• στη βελτίωση της σύστασης σώματος και του μεταβολισμού

• στη δημιουργία διατροφικών πλάνων που μπορούν πραγματικά να εφαρμοστούν στην καθημερινότητα

• στη δημιουργία εξατομικευμένων πλάνων συμπληρωμάτων διατροφής

• στη συνολική διαδικασία αλλαγής συμπεριφοράς και βελτίωσης της υγείας και της ευεξίας

Οι διαιτολόγοι – διατροφολόγοι της κλινικής διαθέτουν άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος και εγγραφή στον ΣΔΔΕ και λειτουργούν βάσει συγκεκριμένων επιστημονικών πρωτοκόλλων, με εμπειρία τόσο σε άτομα που ακολουθούν αποκλειστικά διατροφική παρέμβαση όσο και σε ασθενείς που λαμβάνουν παράλληλη ενέσιμη φαρμακευτική αγωγή για την παχυσαρκία.

Ιδιαίτερη σημασία δίνεται στη διατήρηση της μυϊκής μάζας κατά τη διάρκεια της απώλειας βάρους, ειδικά σε περιπτώσεις χρήσης ενέσιμων θεραπειών για την παχυσαρκία, όπου η σωστή πρόσληψη πρωτεΐνης και η κατάλληλη διατροφική καθοδήγηση αποτελούν καθοριστικούς παράγοντες για την υγεία, τη λειτουργικότητα και τη σύσταση σώματος.

Στην κλινική μας, στόχος είναι η εκπαίδευση, η αλλαγή συνηθειών και η δημιουργία ενός βιώσιμου μοντέλου διατροφής που μπορεί να υποστηρίξει μακροχρόνια υγεία, καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής και αποτελεσματική διαχείριση βάρους.

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.