Connecting science and well-being

Protein-rich food in stride against obesity

Thursday, 15 April 2010 14:10

Many inhabitants in the east of the Netherlands are overweight. Obesity increases the chances of heart and coronary diseases, joint problems, some types of cancer and other diseases. It also leads to above average sickness absenteeism at the workplace, which in turn requires higher healthcare costs. By combining forces in knowledge and know-how in the area of ‘Food, Health and Technology’ which are present in this region, these problems can be tackled effectively and efficiently. In combating obesity, even a little weight loss could already lead to a big improvement in health and welfare. Sickness absenteeism will be reduced due to an improved health status of employees. This project would also give rise to more local employment opportunities and, therefore, improve the economic standing of this region.

In this project Wageningen UR (Food & Biobased Research institute and division of Human Nutrition), Previtas, Newtricious, Ollyxa, Molecular Nanofabrication group - Universiteit Twente, Nijmegen Proteomics en Metabolomics Faciliteiten - UMC St Radboud, Zwanenberg Food Group, Barentz Ingredients en Zijerveld have joined forces. The project is part of the programme ‘Pieken in de Delta-Oost Nederland’ subsidised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Gelderland and Overijssel provinces, The Netherlands.