The project recognized the urgency of addressing the practical consequences of obesity-related stigma and discrimination, acknowledging their significant impact and youngsters quality of life. The project aimed to: - Forster a change in the paradigm of research, training and interventions in tackling and managing obesity and eating disorders of youngsters deconstructing the negative bias in the public discourse and providing the foundations for a more patient-centred health care service. - Provide lecturers/trainers in higher education (HE) specializing in nutrition/dietetics, diabetology, pediatrics, communication, physiotherapy, physical education, and weight management, as well as other lecturers in general medicine teaching nutrition with the skills, knowledge, methods, and tools to explore and address the teaching/training of obesity and eating disorders through a trans-disciplinary approach. - Assist residents and students in consolidating their knowledge and skills in approaching patients with obesity and eating disorders according to a patient-centred approach, overcoming their reluctance to seek help and communicate openly when addressed from a limited medical and physical exercise perspective
The project addressed a medical and sociological situation in which global obesity rates experienced a steady increase over the past three decades, contributing to a significant public health concern. This rise was exacerbated by the parallel pervasive negative stigma in a contemporary culture that idealizes thinness. As a consequence adolescents facing eating disorders easily become exposed to exclusion hindering their ability to establish positive social connections. The resultant emotional distress lead a lot of them, to turn to food for solace, perpetuating a negative circular cycle of catching more weight, increasing stress and exacerbating eating disorder. Obesity and eating disorders were therefore identified as intertwined with social isolation, diminished self-esteem, negative body image, depression, and an overall reduction in the quality of life. Starting from this mounting evidence the project partners shared and emphasized the urgent need for a transformative approach in the interventions addressed to young people affected by obesity and eating disorders, based on a collaborative, team-based strategy involving medical specialists, nutritionists/dietitians, psychotherapists, counsellors and physiotherapists.