Three award-winning initiatives on reduction and prevention obesity through personalized nutrition

Submitted by Jeroen Wouters on 18 October 2021

Image Announcement winners

Today three initiatives received the new Booster award, an incentive for initiatives that support the reduction and prevention of obesity employing personalized nutrition tools. The winners - Happy Feet on Healthy Food, J.A.App (Juvenile Antiobesity App) and Ready to (h)eat meals tailored to gut, genes and guidelines - convinced the jury of their impact, feasibility and partnership. The Booster is developed by Foodvalley NL and powered by Food Innovation Hub Europe.

Disruptive innovation

Worldwide the number of people with overweight or obesity is alarmingly high, with over 1.9 billion, and this number is still rising, resulting in an increased risk of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some cancers. Therefore, there is a need for disruptive innovations to prevent and reduce obesity by using a personalised approach and the alliance of unlikely partnerships. All three initiatives received the Booster, worth 30,000 euros, to be used to support the initiatives in their next development steps. They will be monitored for a year and gain access to a large international food network. This way, Food Innovation Hub Europe accelerates the cooperation between relevant parties and the creation of obesity-reducing solutions.

Happy Feet on Healthy Food

This initiative aims to support people participating in walking events in their nutritional choices. The 4-day march of Nijmegen 2022 will be used as a pilot, where a group of walkers will be monitored on their food choices, in personalized nutrition markers and supported to make alternative and healthy choices. It is a multipartner initiative of Radboudumc, Four Day marches organization, Albron and the International Walking Association.

The J.A.App (Juvenile Anti-Obesity App)

This app will allow to transfer the dietary advices that are provided to young adolescents facing obesity, on a digital format and thereby meeting the target groups needs and supporting the change to healthier food choices. It is an initiative of the Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp - Childhood Obesity Centre, FoodNed Holding bv, Jeroen Bosch Hospital - Centre of Expertise for Children with Obesity, Maastricht University and Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo.

Ready to (h)eat meals tailored to gut, genes and guidelines

An initiative that will create a one-stop shop to order your personalized meals in line with your personal nutrition recommendations based on your microbiome, DNA and personal preferences and needs. In addition, it will engage people in an entertaining and educational experience. It is a multipartner initiative of Verdify, Eatch, Omnigen, MyMicroZoo and University of Antwerp.

Powered by Food Innovation Hub Europe

We can only change a food system together. Local, regional, national and global parties have to join and work transparently and energetically to accelerate the transition to an efficient, inclusive, sustainable, nutritious and healthy food system. To promote this collaboration, the World Economic Forum initiated together with public, private and civil society sector partners Food Innovation Hubs worldwide. Foodvalley NL is a leading partner towards the development of the Food Innovation Hub Europe to initiate collaboration and co-create innovation projects to address continent-specific challenges and connects regional hubs in the various member countries to address common and region-specific issues. This Booster is powered by Food Innovation Hub Europe.

Foodvalley NL

Shaping the future of food together. Since 2004, Foodvalley NL has been building and strengthening the ecosystem, an international network of organisations that have together initiated the transition to a sustainable food system. Foodvalley NL, based in the Netherlands, is the independent organisation that guides stakeholders through the transition, establishing direction, process, content and speed. It works closely with governments – international, national and regional – and renowned educational and research institutions.

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