III ADEMA International Nutrition Week champions the role of dietitians in the fight against eating disorders and obesity

Experts from the III ADEMA International Nutrition Week defended the role of a dietitian in the fight against eating disorders and obesity, which are increasingly growing among the population. Half of Balearic Islanders do not eat a heart-healthy diet, according to the ADEMA university school’s research arm. They lead a sedentary lifestyle and almost 50% have excess fat.

Eating disorders have now become one of the mental health problems with the greatest impact on health. The problem that experts warn about is population growth and an increase in cases at increasingly younger ages, between adolescence and adulthood.

This was confirmed by the world president of the International Conference of Dietetic Associations and conference coordinator Dr. Giuseppe Russolillo during the III International Nutrition Week, defending the crucial role of the dietitian, who must solve problems together with a multidisciplinary team of this type of behavior helping the patient.

In this way, the overweight person can change their attitudes and routines around food, overcome fears, develop a healthy emotional relationship with food, and establish a healthy eating routine. Other alarming data concerns the prevalence of body fat, which ranges from 47.8% in women to 51.8% in men, and increasing rates of obesity among children and adolescents.

These data reflect the important challenges faced by the population of the Balearic Islands in terms of obesity and eating disorders. Dr Arturo Lopez, from the research department at the university’s ADEMA school, said he believes it is “key” to implement adequate prevention, education and health care programmes.

Some programs in which “a dietitian nutritionist conducts assessments, plans personalized diets, raises awareness of the importance of healthy eating, closely monitors the patient, and works in a team with other health care professionals such as doctors, psychologists, and therapists.” to address physical, emotional and behavioral consequences.”

Both Dr. Juan Miguel Roca Gamundi, a clinical psychologist from Ibsalut, and psychonutrition expert and professor at the Isabella I and Pablo de Olavide Universities, Dr. Griselda Herro, considered early and interdisciplinary intervention “essential” for the effective treatment of these disorders.

On the other hand, during these days a seminar on dysphagia was held, where students had the opportunity to study this condition and understand its impact on everyday life. In addition, another workshop will review the most notable advances in the field of sports nutrition, as well as informative events to help participating students learn about current career opportunities.

During the inauguration, the director general of public health of the Balearic government, Elena Esteban Ramis, thanked ADEMA for its efforts to improve the skills of future professionals who “will collaborate with us in the near future.” On the other hand, he emphasized the benefits of healthy eating and a commitment to maintaining the Mediterranean diet.

On the other hand, the President of the Royal Academy of Medicine of the Balearic Islands, Dr. Joan Besalduc Vidal, insisted on the importance for health of the following nutritional standards, adapted to each case: “The development of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics helps us and will help us more and more, along with the control of environmental factors, practice healthy eating.”

For her part, Lara Proens, secretary of the College of Dietitians of the Balearic Islands, considers it “necessary and urgent to include dietitians in the national health system to ensure that those who need it receive adequate nutritional care.” This prevents and reduces the risk of disease and malnutrition.

All of this “improves their quality of life while reducing healthcare costs. The role of this professional is key to ensuring everyone’s right to adequate and safe food and reducing the risk of food insecurity, especially in the most vulnerable groups,” the press release issued by ADEMA always states.

Finally, ADEMA CEO Carlos Lopes thanked all participants and encouraged them to “enjoy these exciting days thanks to our commitment to innovation, research and internationalization so that we can always be up to date with the latest trends in the world.” area of ​​nutrition”.

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