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UMPhST as coordinator of the Erasmus+ Strategic partnership Connected4Health (Project Number: 2021-1-RO01-KA220-HED-000032108) organised an International Conference entitled Obesity and Eating Disorders – A Medical and Humanities-based Approach. This multiplier event benefitted from a large interested local audience (over 60 participants) as a result of its publication in the local newspaper "Punctul".
The newspaper published an article in Romanian which presented the project in a nutshell and referenced the project results, website, and target audience.
The article can be found at https://www.punctul.ro/conferinta-internationala-obezitatea-si-tulburarile-de-alimentatie-o-abordare-integrata-medicala-si-umanista/
The second module of the Training course, entitled Interviews with Dietitians, Nutritionist, Diabetologists, Endocrinologists, deals with Healthy eating, Intuitive Eating (mindful eating); Emotional eating; dyslipidemia nutritional management controversies, popular diets pros and cons as well as practical strategies for promoting healthy eating, etc.
The first module of the Training course, entitled Interviews with Psychologists, deals with body image therapy, feared food exposure, mirror exposure, family-based treatment, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT). other therapies etc.
Pixel organized and coordinated the fourth transnational meeting of the European project entitled Connected 4 Health which took place on 11 September 2023 at University of Belgrade based in Belgrade (Serbia).
During the fourth meeting, the European project partners validated the Syllabus of Seminars aiming at developing a multidisciplinary approach to young people with obesity and eating disorders. Even more, the European project partners defined the schedule of the activities for the creation of the contents for the Training Package for students on the effective management of young patients with obesity and eating disorders
The seventh module of the Syllabus, entitled The Humanistic Approach, deals with propose complementary adjuvant approaches in communicating with obese and ED young people, foster their motivation to adapt or accept body image, cope with anxiety, increase self-esteem, through application of: Creative Arts Therapies (e.g. Visual Arts, Music and Dance and Movement) Narrative therapy – (reflective writing/exploratory writing/the diary and narrative pedagogy/story telling) and Bibliotherapy is the therapeutic use of literature, a reading cure consisting in prescribing fiction poetry, film.
The sixth module of the Syllabus, entitled Exercise Therapy, focuses on applying exercise therapy in treating obesity and EDs in young people. The concept of calorie intake and calorie burn will be explained, followed by the presentation of the types of physical exercises (i.e. endurance, strength and flexibility) and the concept of an individually-tailored exercise program (the FITT principle – Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time). The significance of being engaged in age-specific and fun exercises will be emphasized, as well as the support young people suffering from obesity and EDs should get from their peers, parents, officials, etc. Finally, we will discuss the importance of exercising in pleasant environment (e.g. outdoors) and the necessity of building adequate exercise facilities that would be available to everyone regardless their financial status.:
The fifth module of the Syllabus, entitled Treatments Diabetologist, deals with therapy of obesity from the diabetologist’s perspective with reference to type 2 diabetes (T2D) or obesity-induced pre-diaetes, prevention, and pre-diabetes management, metabolic syndrome. The module will also cover the psychological features of working with a diabetic as well as diabetic foot care.
The fourth module of the Syllabus, entitled Treatments Psychotherapist, deals with: The psychology of appetite control; Communication, avoid stigmatization, building a positive body image. Behavioural counselling interventions for effective lifestyle changes, e.g. Maudsley therapy, existential therapy, support groups, biosynthesis, CBT, IPT. Psychological strategies to promote behaviour change, stages of change, motivational interviewing, support for self-esteem, self-concept.
The University of Targu Mures published an article in the journal The Dietician.ro in which the project as well as the current results were presented. A special focus was on the Handbook, modules and videoclips of the Syllabus , as well as interviews with specialists.
Links to the Handbook (PR1), modules and videoclips of the Syllabus in PR3, as well as interviews with specialists in PR3 are available through the article.
The third module of the Syllabus, entitled Nutrition Diagnosis and Treatment, deals with: In a patient with obesity or EDs, a systematic nutrition diagnosis can be done using PES statements: Problem, Etiology, Signs and symptoms. The individualized intervention should focus on the root cause (Etiology) by formulating goals, and determining and implementing actions, such as, nutrition counseling, adjustment of energy, nutrient, and diet plan. The patient should be followed for nutrition monitoring and evaluation.
The second module of the Syllabus, entitled The Patient’s Assessment, deals with: How to do the nutritional assessment of the patient with obesity or EDs? Using the ABCD methods: Anthropometric and body composition, Biochemical and laboratory values, Clinical issues, and Dietary intake.
The first module of the Syllabus, entitled Essentials of Obesity and Eating Disorders, deals with:
During the third meeting, the European project partners presented the final version of the PR1 Handbook and discussed the translation in all the national languages.
Moreover, the draft version of the contents for the PR2 Syllabus of Seminar was presented and discussed, as well as the templates to be used for the last Project Result
The publication entitled "Cultural and Historical Perspectives on Obesity and Eating Disorders" is available also in the following national languages: Czech Italian Lithuanian Portuguese Romanian Serbian Spanish.
The publication is a complete and transnational research on Obesity and EDs in Young People through a publication in the form of a Handbook. The publication provides future medical professionals and their trainers with information on the evolution of obesity and EDs diachronically and synchronically, thus better equipping them to interpret and address these issues in providing a more patient-centred health care service.
The second transnational meeting of the European project entitled Connected 4 Health took place on 4 – 5 July 2022 at Instituto Politécnico de Bragança based in Bragança.
During the second meeting, the European project partners presented the draft version of the modules of the Handbook, also discussing about its cover page and graphic style. In addition, the European project partners analyzed the abstract of the syllabus of the modules to be produced.
6 Associated Partners joined the Connected 4 Healt project to contribute to the improvement of its impact on the target groups and to ensure its sustanability in the long term.
You can find here the complete list of associated partners.
The kick-off meeting of the Connected 4 Health project took place online as a consequence of the COVID-19. All partners participated in the meeting and the main topics discussed were:
The Connected for Health project is funded, by the European Commission through the Romanian National Agency for the Erasmus+ Programme to produce interdisciplinary knowledge and form interdisciplinary skills in a connected team-based treatment of obesity and eating disorders conditions, which involves much more than healthy choices. The project will also create awareness in society at large, youth organisations, insurance companies, etc. about the stigma and harm associated with obesity and eating disorders.