🌟 Presentation of the results of the implementation of Health4EUKids at 18th EUPHA 🌟

As part of the completion of the Health4EUKids project, the University of Patras team, in collaboration with the 6th Health Administration, presented the results of the implementation of the project at the European Public Health conference in Helsinki.

The conference involved an open discussion in collaboration with the other European countries where the project is implemented. The project was conducted under the supervision of the coordinator Professor A. Vantarakis (Laboratory of Hygiene, Medical School of the University of Patras) and best practices were examined, Grunau Moves and Smart Family, to address childhood obesity, adapted to the needs of each region.

More specifically, the working groups discussed the short-term results while setting goals for the sustainability of the project after its completion. The implementation of the Grunau Moves methodology (coordinated by Spain) and the Smart Family (coordinated by Finland) had encouraging results in all the countries of their implementation through which future trans-European cooperation was ensured aiming at the adoption by students of a healthy lifestyle. Assoc. Prof. E. Magriplis presented the approaches, defined by the above project, for the prevention of childhood obesity as well as the experience from the two years of implementation of the project. Through new approaches aimed at children and families (participatory approach), training of health professionals and strengthening family ties with primary health highlighted the elements that differentiated the Health4EUkids project and integrated it into the specific characteristics of each country. In addition, E. Papachatzi, Pediatrician (Universital General Hospital of Patras) and Postdoctoral Researcher of the Laboratory, presented the research work of the Greek team, highlighting correlations of the impact of childhood overweight and obesity with the built environment of urban areas. The type of sports facilities and not only the number seem to have a positive effect on the reduction of the number of children living with overweight and obesity in Greece. The above is of particular interest in the effort to modify the environment (school, neighborhood, etc.) – and not only habits – for the implementation of the above objectives.

Greece as the coordinating country of the project (University of Patras and 6th Health Administration), under the supervision and guidance of the Scientific Responsible Professor A. Vantarakis, ensured the active participation and cooperation of the participating countries, an interdisciplinary team that will continue to act to combat childhood obesity at national and European level.

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