Connecting science and well-being

Nine companies and knowledge institutes in the East of The Netherlands joined forces in the battle against obesity. In doing so, the participants develop and produce healthy, protein-rich foods and ingredients which can then be used in carefully monitored diet programmes. A test is developed on the basis of biomarkers in order to provide personalised dietary advice.

The East of The Netherlands has a relatively large number of obese people, who have a higher chance of developing heart and vascular disease, joint damage, certain types of cancer and other diseases. Obesity also leads to higher than average rates of absenteeism and increased costs for health services. These problems can be effectively and efficiently addressed by combining knowledge and skills in food, health and technology, which are abundant in this region. In the battle against obesity, even modest weight loss leads to an improvement in health and well-being. Absenteeism will decrease due to an increase in the health of working people. As the project will also contribute to regional employment, it is expected that the economic status of the region will improve.

The collaboration between Food and Biobased Research - Wageningen UR, Newtricious, Ollyxa, LIV advice, Molecular Nanofabrication group – University of Twente, Nijmegen Proteomics and Metabolomics Facilities - UMC St Radboud, Zwanenberg Food Group, Barentz Ingredients and Zijerveld & Veldhuyzen was made possible by the Pieken in de Delta-Oost Nederland (Peaks in the Delta—East Netherlands) programme, through funds from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel.