Hospital da Luz Paediatrics in congress: “Are we what we eat?”

The 2nd congress of Paediatrics at Hospital da Luz Lisboa discusses the new nutrition paradigm in child development.

Hospital da Luz Lisboa organizes, next 2 and 3 March, its 2^nd Congress of Paediatrics. Along the two days of work, the changes witnessed in these last few years in nutrition and their impact on children and youth development will be discussed.

The concepts on nutrition and their relationship with the child's body are considerably different today, than they were10 years ago. On the other hand, the food choices are no longer easy and advice are no longer universal. We also know that our food habits may not be sustainable and that genes can be "manipulated" by diet, in such a way that lifestyles have increased inflammatory, autoimmune and allergic diseases. Therefore, we should ask: "Are we what we eat?". This question is the motto for the congress.

"We chose this topic, coming out of two atypical years, where our children were isolated and enclosed for several months, unable to do much physical activity, which aggravated two problems of the century: sedentary behaviour and obesity", explains João Farela Neves, the director of the Children and Youth Hospital, at Hospital da Luz Lisboa.

"In a society driven by information (and disinformation), the amount of scientific evidence in the area seems to get lost amidst so many (un)certainties. To have two days to discuss these topics among peers, trying to find paths and solutions, is the minimum that the Paediatrics department could do for our child population", he adds.

Thus, this 2^nd congress program will include:

• The discussion and updating of many of the latest themes in Paediatrics, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes, digestive allergies and eating behaviour disorders. But also debates on topics such as the sustainability of food choices, the impact of trendy diets, and the influence of the media on individual and collective choices;
  
• A conference by Carlos Neto, Professor of the Human Motricity Faculty, University of Lisbon, one of the world top researchers on the importance of play and games in the development of children and youth. "Let children play!" is the (provocative) title of his intervention;
  
• Interventions by specialists of Hospital da Luz network and other hospital units, in the areas of Paediatrics, Developmental Paediatrics, Neonatology, Paediatric Endocrinology, Paediatric Surgery, Nutrition, Immunoallergology, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Clinical Psychology, and General and Family Medicine. For instance, the importance of "Polygenic risk models" for daily practice in Paediatrics will be examined by Ana Teresa Freitas (the CEO of HeartGenetics and teacher in the Computer Engineering Department of the Technical Superior Institute). Body image and its challenges, and eating behaviour disorders will be examined by psychologist Filipa Fonseca and neurodevelopmental paediatrician, Micaela Guardiano;
  
• The presence of other professionals intervening in other fields, who will share their experience, such as Catarina Cachão Bragadeste - nutritionist and author of the blog "Diary of a Dietitian", who will approach the topic "Trendy diets and repercussions" - chef Diogo Noronha - who will approach the "Environmental impact and sustainability of child dietary options" - and Sandra Santos (author of the book and blog "Papinhas da Xica").

Date and place: 2 and 3 March 2023, Hospital da Luz Lisboa auditorium
Registration and program

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