CHIETI – The “Obesity and cardiovascular risk in pediatric age” project of the Mother and Child Department, directed by by Francesco Chiarelli. The project is coordinated by Cosimo Giannini, Associate Professor of the “D’Annunzio” University and medical director at the Pediatric Clinic of the Chieti Hospital, who has recognized expertise at a national and international level on obesity and the cardiometabolic risk associated with it related. The leader will be the Chieti Hospital, but the study will also be extended to the other capital cities of Abruzzo, in collaboration with the Paediatrics of Pescara, Teramo and L’Aquila, integrating clinical skills, basic research and innovative instrumentation for data processing that will be collected.
Under the supervision of Francesco Chiarelli, Full Professor of Paediatrics and Director of the Pediatric Clinic of Chieti, the study aims to screen the risk of obesity in childhood in our region, in order to adopt preventive strategies to combat this condition. Obesity, in fact, represents a significant global public health problem that has a significant impact on the quality of life of young people, who are more exposed to the risk of complications, such as fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension as well as psychological disorders. . Among the causes, an incorrect lifestyle prevails, made up of bad eating habits and inadequate physical activity. The project, lasting two years, involves the primary schools of the four provinces of Abruzzo. Within these, an initial anthropometric evaluation will also be carried out through the use of the 3D Body Scanner and a cardio-metabolic evaluation, with the aid of cutting-edge instruments.
A significant contribution will also be provided by the genetic analysis of the main metabolites and genes involved in obesity, thanks to the participation of the CAST (Centro Studi e Tecnologie Avanzate), under the supervision of Liborio Stuppia, Rector of the “G. d’University”. Annunzio” and Vincenzo De Laurenzi, Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. After the initial evaluation, the multidisciplinary team made up of paediatricians, dieticians, physiotherapists and psychologists will take care of the young patients and will manage a standardized educational-behavioral path through frontal lessons, which will take place in schools, and a dietary program as well as physical exercise suited to everyone’s needs. “This project offers us a great opportunity – highlights Giannini – to combat the spread of obesity in Abruzzo. I like to underline the multidisciplinary approach which sees the National Health Service, schools and universities working together on the prevention front, with particular attention to cardiovascular risk in pediatric age”.
