In an effort to combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyle habits, the Center for Obesity Prevention, Treatment, Education, and Research (COPTER) and the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences (FNHS) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) launched a symposium on obesity prevention and treatment. The conference, which sought to address the risks of obesity and raise awareness on potential issues associated with it, saw the participation of prominent figures in the field. Among the guests present during the conference was Professor Joseph Bakhash, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians. The event started off with a welcome note by Dr. Antoine Aoun, Director of COPTER and Dr. Jessy El Hayek, Dean of the FNHS. It also included two panels, each involving the interventions of Faculty members and industry specialists.
Kicking off the event, Dr. Antoine Aoun delivered his opening note, in which he duly thanked the University and all offices and members especially those working diligently behind the scenes, FNHS Faculty members, COPTER team, and guests for their remarkable efforts and attendance. Acknowledging a rather grim reality, Dr. Aoun began by mentioning the scarcity of successful obesity prevention initiatives and referencing a 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) survey where nearly 67% of the Lebanese population was classified as overweight or obese. Dr. Aoun then stressed the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, where there was a surge in such alarming rates.
After Dr. Aoun’s delivery, Dr. Jessy El Hayek took the stage to express her gratitude for the launching of the COPTER center, an initiative that had been at the core of the FNHS’ focus for quite some time. As per Dr. El Hayek, this accomplishment also serves as a beacon of hope amid cumulative crises in the country. Dr. El Hayek finally reiterated the Faculty and University’s commitment to actively find solutions to crucial topics like this one, highlighting some of the recent research done at the faculty level.
In his turn, Prof. Joseph Bakhash acknowledged the significance of COPTER’s launching, an achievement he described as essential in the battle against obesity. During his intervention, Prof. Bakhash highlighted COPTER’s role in driving research forwards. As an entity working closely with doctors and physicians, COPTER’s endeavors have led to the advancement of data and research analysis, at a time where the local health sector has taken a hit. Professor Bakhash, representing the Lebanese Order of Physicians, then conveyed best wishes for the University's success in the launch.
The first panel was moderated by Dr. Crystal Ghantous, Assistant Professor at the FNHS; Ms. Maya Abou Jaoude, Chairperson at the Department of Nursing and Health Sciences; and Ms. Maria Aoun. In this panel, Dr. Zaher El Hage, Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, Education, and Physical Education, explored the most effective physical activity for weight loss. In his discourse, Dr. El Hage explained that an effective weight loss journey requires consistency and maintaining healthy habits. He also discussed the two primary types of exercise commonly utilized in aerobic sports such as running and cycling. These consist of Steady State Exercise (SSE), characterized by moderate intensity over a sustained period, and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), a rigorous approach predominantly adopted by athletes.
Subsequently, Dr. Antoine Aoun discussed recent advancements in medications and treatments for obesity. Dr Aoun first examined the reasons behind considering obesity an epidemic. He then went over the ideal treatment, insisting that it must encompass diet therapy and physical activity, as well as behavioral adjustment to ensure that additional weight is not gained by the individual. Dr. Aoun later explained how medication is prescribed in certain cases of obesity, exploring some aspects of pharmacotherapy.
Following Dr. Aoun’s discussion, Ms. Jennifer Chalhoub, NDU alumna (BS’ 19), analyzed physiology and the correlation between obesity and cancer, providing nutritional assessment and management techniques for cancer patients with obesity. Chalhoub also discussed nutrition diagnosis, nutritional goals during treatment, effective nutrition interventions, and weight gain and hormonal therapy.
Moreover, the second panel, moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Sibelle El Hayek, Senior FNHS Lecturer Ms. Cecile Obeid, and Administrative Assistant to the Chairperson at the FNHS, Ms. Amira Hanna, featured additional discussions. At the start of this panel, Dr. Samar Merhi, Assistant Professor at the FNHS, uncovered some hidden aspects of obesity. Addressing certain misconceptions surrounding the issue and its dangers, Dr. Merhi went beyond the scale of the familiar elements of obesity known by the audience. Her intervention was succeeded by an informative talk by Ms. Stephanie Baddour and Ms. Romy Moujaes, Clinical Dietitians at the Dietetics Institute for Continuous Education (DiCE). During their insightful exchange, they tackled successful techniques for weight loss, taking into account evidence-based diets and behavioral changes.
Lastly, Dr. Nadim Nassif, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, Education, and Physical Education, introduced appropriate techniques to measure fitness and promote physical activity. As the Chair of the International Center for Sport Policy and Governance (ICSPG) think tank, Dr. Nassif presented his recent World Ranking of Countries in Elite Sports (WRCES) rankings. He thoroughly discussed the different variables considered to make the ranking methodology as accurate as possible, some of which include sports’ development among the population, obesity rate (OR), and undernourishment prevalence.
In conclusion, this conference served as a poignant reminder of the imperative to tackle the escalating rates of obesity. As COPTER and FNHS continue to champion innovative approaches and interdisciplinary cooperation, this symposium exemplifies their shared dedication to promoting healthier communities and combating the obesity epidemic.