PREPHOBES (HDHL-INTIMIC 2020)

BACKGROUND
Overweight (BMI between 25 and 30) and obesity (BMI of 30 or greater) are associated with a range of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. The rising prevalence of obesity in Western countries is of particular concern due to the serious adverse psychological, social and health consequences. Overweight is the result of a positive energy balance, with dietary intake and physical activity being the principal health behaviours contributing to it. Similar to the body mass index, dietary and physical activity habits track strongly from youth to adolescence and adulthood. Therefore, it is important to establish healthy behaviours early in the lifespan to prevent overweight and obesity. Determinants (e.g. personal, socio-economics depending on the physical environment, etc.) of healthy behaviours, and targeted prevention strategies to address these determinants, differ across the life span, depending on levels of an individual’s independence and autonomy, cognitive function, motivation and education, socio-economic status and competing life commitments. Thus, strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain targeted to different phases across the life span are urgently needed.

AIM OF THE CALL
The aim of this call is to support research projects that focus on the development, implementation and evaluation of innovative strategies designed to prevent or reduce overweight and obesity, in defined target populations based on certain life stages.

WHO
In general, joint research proposals may be submitted by applicants working in universities or other higher education institutions, non-university public or private research institutions, hospitals and other health care settings, commercial companies (in particular small and medium-size enterprises) or other types of stakeholder organisations.