Best Practices in Child Obesity

About

The prevalence of child obesity is increasing in our times, posing a burden for modern societies and their health systems. Health personnel will be called to cope with the increasing number of children with obesity. This intensive summer school “Best Practices in child obesity” is designed for pediatricians, clinical nutritionists, dietitians, public health professionals, and other healthcare providers working with children. It aims to equip participants with evidence-based knowledge, practical skills, and interdisciplinary tools to effectively address the complex issue of childhood obesity. This offers an opportunity to showcase the interdisciplinary approach employed in child obesity to optimize health outcomes. At the same time, students will be educated on the most recent developments and applications for child obesity at community level. The structure of the program entails both theoretical background and best practices in teamwork and lectures by distinguished scientists working in a Health4EUkids Joint Action. A total of 30 students will be practicing in the University of Patras, Medical School.

Course committee:

– Apostolos Vantarakis, Professor, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece
– Angela Giusti, Prof.ssa, Istituto Superiore di Sanità – Italian National Institute of Health, Italy
– George Karydas, 6th Health ADM (DYPEDE), Greece
– Heli Kuusipalo, Senior Adviser, THL, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland
– Emmanuella Magriplis, Assoc. Professor, Dep. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, AUA Athens, Greece
– Rosa Ana Peiro Pérez, Direccion General, de Salud Publica, Valencia, Spain

At the end of this summer school, students should be able to:

– Understand the epidemiology, risk factors, and long-term consequences of childhood obesity.
– Gain proficiency in screening and diagnostic criteria, including BMI interpretation, growth charts, and metabolic markers.
– Learn how to assess dietary intake, physical activity, and behavioral health in children and adolescents.
– Explore strategies for family-centered care, motivational interviewing, and behavior change communication.
– Review best practices in diet and physical activity promotion.
– Understand the psychosocial dimensions of obesity, including stigma, self-esteem, and mental health.
– Examine public health initiatives, school-based programs, and policy approaches.
– Develop interprofessional strategies for managing complex cases of pediatric obesity.

Certificate:

At the end of the summer school, all participants will receive a Certificate

Target group

Mainly but not exclusively, medical doctors, pediatricians, dieticians, health personnel, pre-graduate medical students

Course aim

The trainees are expected to acquire knowledge, based on an interdisciplinary approach on the management of child obesity in the community using best practices implemented in Health4EUKids European Joint Action