Portrait/ Coura Yasmine Sandrine Ouedraogo/Zerbo: helping patients to learn about nutrition

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Extract from the article: A behavioural dietician specialising in eating disorders and body image, Coura Yasmine Sandrine Ouedraogo/Zerbo is passionate about her work. Her unique approach, combining nutrition, psychology and kindness, enables her to guide her patients towards

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A behavioural dietician specialising in eating disorders and body image, Coura Yasmine Sandrine Ouedraogo/Zerbo is passionate about her work. Her unique approach, combining nutrition, psychology and kindness, enables her to guide her patients towards a healthy and balanced relationship with food.

Yasmine Sandrine Ouedraogo/Zerbo's approach is based on listening and personalisation. She takes the time to understand the specific needs of each individual, whether it's nutritional management for a particular health problem (such as diabetes, hypertension or eating disorders) or simply a desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle. His role is to guide his patients towards healthier eating habits, and to stress the importance of nutritional education: understanding what we eat, why we eat it and how our bodies react.

A career motivated by people

It all started with a story: ‘I chose behavioural dietetics after seeing the ravages of dieting on my patients.They knew the dietary rules, but couldn't manage to lose weight sustainably. The yo-yo effect, frustration and exhaustion convinced me of the ineffectiveness of this approach’, she points out.It was by observing the damage caused by weight-loss diets, both physically and psychologically, that Coura decided to specialise in eating behaviour. The vicious circle of the yo-yo effect, the frustrations and exhaustion associated with restrictive diets convinced her of the ineffectiveness of this approach.

The daily life of a behavioural dietitian

‘My days are very full: individual consultations, case follow-up, group workshops. I attach great importance to listening and giving personalised advice. The most rewarding moments are when I see my patients making progress and rediscovering a serene relationship with food’, she says. This shows just how much Coura's days are punctuated by listening and giving advice. She takes the time to understand her patients' difficulties and to offer them appropriate advice. The moments of success, when she sees her patients improve their quality of life, are her greatest source of satisfaction.

A career motivated by people

It all started with a story: ‘I chose behavioural dietetics after seeing the ravages of dieting on my patients.They knew the dietary rules, but couldn't manage to lose weight sustainably. The yo-yo effect, frustration and exhaustion convinced me of the ineffectiveness of this approach’, she points out.It was by observing the damage caused by weight-loss diets, both physically and psychologically, that Coura decided to specialise in eating behaviour.The vicious circle of the yo-yo effect, the frustrations and exhaustion associated with restrictive diets convinced her of the ineffectiveness of this approach.

The daily life of a behavioural dietitian

‘My days are very full: individual consultations, case follow-up, group workshops. I attach great importance to listening and giving personalised advice. The most rewarding moments are when I see my patients making progress and rediscovering a serene relationship with food’, she says. This shows just how much Coura's days are punctuated by listening and giving advice. She takes the time to understand her patients' difficulties and to offer them appropriate advice. The moments of success, when she sees her patients improve their quality of life, are her greatest source of satisfaction.

Work-life balance

It's not an easy job to manage as a mother, but: ‘Thanks to good organisation and the support of my husband, I manage to reconcile my professional life with my role as a wife and wife.I take time out to recharge my batteries and share quality time with my family’, she says with satisfaction. Coura Zerbo manages to strike a balance between her professional and personal life thanks to rigorous organisation and the support of those around her.

A stimulating work environment

She works in a stimulating environment, where she feels supported and valued. ‘I appreciate my work environment, which is collaborative and well-equipped.I feel supported by my team and valued in my role. The positive feedback from my patients reinforces my career choice,’ she says.

Proposals for improving the healthcare system

‘If I were a health authority, I would make nutrition a more integral part of health care, promote nutrition education, combat malnutrition, strengthen nutrition research and ensure the nutritional quality of food’. These are the concrete ideas that Sandrine Zerbo is putting forward to improve the healthcare system, with the emphasis on prevention and nutritional education.

Powerful encounters and a message of goodwill

Human encounters are at the heart of Coura's career, and she sees her profession as a vocation. ‘My trainers, the doctors I work with and my patients have all left their mark on my career.I see my profession as a way of serving God and caring for others.My main message is the importance of a healthy relationship with food and with oneself.Listen to your body, be kind and consider food as a pleasure and a way of taking care of your overall health’.

This message of caring encourages everyone to take care of their physical and mental health.

Abel OZIH