A nutritionally balanced diet is integral to maintaining a healthy mind and body. Yet, making healthy food choices is not always as easy as it seems. Lifestyle-related diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, are commonly caused by excess calorie intake and the consumption of foods high in salt, sugar and fat. What’s more, the prevalence of these diseases is on the rise, suggesting that there is a lack of awareness of the importance of food in overall health and wellbeing.
Our nutrition requirements also vary depending on our stage of life and our physical and/or emotional condition. With the right advice, food can also be used as a means to prevent or recover faster from illness. To take full advantage of this, however, requires further understanding of the role food can play in healthcare interventions.
Recognising that these issues are best addressed via a multisector approach, EIT Health and EIT Food have combined forces to build the Food4Health cross-KIC collaboration. Through their joint activities, the strengths and expertise of the partners of both KICs can be leveraged to make a greater impact in the area of food and health.
