With approximately 60% of adults and nearly one in three children being affected by overweight and obesity, this health issue is responsible for up to 8% of healthcare costs and significantly increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

Despite the fact that 30% of EU citizens face an elevated risk of transitioning from a healthy weight to overweight and eventually to obesity, current policies and interventions in obesity prevention often have limited impact. Numerous strategies have been attempted and tested, but none have successfully halted the obesity pandemic.

Recognizing the complexity of tackling obesity, the newly formed HealthyW8 consortium, consisting of esteemed scientific organizations in Europe, acknowledges the need for a personalized approach that takes into account the multifaceted and interconnected causes of the problem. To support evidence-based clinical, environmental, and policy decisions that empower individuals to adopt a sustainable and healthier lifestyle at any stage of life, the project will focus on specific life stages, including schoolchildren and their parents, young adults, and the elderly.

HealthyW8 brings together a consortium of 24 public and private partners from nine European countries, each with complementary competencies and skills, and receives funding of 10 million euros under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research framework. The project encompasses several core components, including clinical trials, a digital twin concept, and a lifestyle app, which is expected to attract an annual user base of 200,000.

To maximize its impact, HealthyW8 will make its platform and tools available to institutions across Europe and will share its progress and results through various communication channels, reputable journals, selected events, and its extensive network of stakeholders.