linking diet — Linking diet and health is crucial as Europe tackles the rising concerns of cardiovascular diseases and obesity. In an effort to better understand how eating habits influence health outcomes, EU-funded researchers are exploring innovative methods, including the use of wearable technology.
- As Dr Dagbasi concluded, 'Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns of our time, and we need to address it. Having a holistic understanding of its causes will help us tackle the problem better.'
Traditional methods of tracking food intake, such as food diaries and surveys, often yield inaccurate results due to human error. Participants may forget to log meals or underestimate portion sizes, leading to a distorted view of dietary habits. To address these challenges, a pioneering project called CoDiet is testing a discreet wearable camera that is paired with artificial intelligence (AI). This technology can automatically recognise different food types and estimate portion sizes in real-time, providing a more accurate picture of what individuals actually consume.
CoDiet, a collaboration involving 17 institutions across eight EU countries, aims to run until the end of 2026. It focuses on the links between diet and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions. Approximately 200 volunteers from diverse backgrounds across Europe are participating in this study under the guidance of Dr Aygul Dagbasi, a dietitian and postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College London.
Dr Dagbasi noted that participants are often motivated by the opportunity to gain insights into their dietary habits and the effects on their health. The objective of this project is to move beyond subjective food reporting, which can often be misleading. ‘When we ask patients what they eat, the answer we receive is only their perception,’ explained Dagbasi. ‘If we don’t know what people really eat, our findings and advice will be inaccurate.’
The research team is also incorporating AI analysis of biomarkers, obtained from blood and urine samples, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how genetics and metabolism influence dietary responses. The aim is to create a tool that can offer personalised dietary advice, with trials set to take place in countries including Greece, Ireland, Spain, and the UK.
Dr Dagbasi highlighted the need for accessibility in dietary guidance, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, teenagers, and the elderly. ‘In many parts of the world, access to a qualified dietitian is limited,’ she stated.
However, the relationship between diet and health is multifaceted. Dr Itziar Tueros, who heads the Food and Health Department at AZTI in Spain, emphasised the unique nature of individual metabolisms. ‘Everybody’s metabolism is unique, which means people respond very differently to the same diet,’ she remarked. This complexity makes it essential to not only provide personalised advice but also examine food policies that could help improve community health.
The CoDiet team is investigating food policies across six EU countries, analysing how regulations, education, and access to healthy options might reduce disease rates on a larger scale. ‘Our goal is to develop tools that help individuals make healthier choices while also shaping evidence-based policies to support obesity prevention and chronic disease reduction,’ Tueros added.
Obesity has reached epidemic levels globally, affecting over a billion people. In Europe, more than half of adults are classified as overweight or obese, with alarming predictions that childhood obesity cases may double by 2035, as reported by the World Obesity Federation. Dr Dagbasi warned, ‘We see that people eat differently in different countries, yet we all have the same obesity problems.’
In response to this pressing issue, nine EU-backed projects, including CoDiet, are collaborating within OBEClust, an initiative that pools resources to promote understanding, prevention, and behavioural changes regarding obesity. ‘The cluster gives us a wider vision of the activities and research related to the topic, allowing us to create more synergies,’ stated Tueros.
Another project within OBEClust, PAS GRAS, aims to assess obesity risk among children and young adults. Coordinated by Paulo Oliveira from the University of Coimbra in Portugal, this five-year project focusses on identifying risk factors and developing targeted lifestyle interventions that embrace the Mediterranean diet. Oliveira noted, ‘It’s important to predict who is most at risk because obesity is not as straightforward as people might think.’
The research also investigates the health benefits of certain foods, such as the anti-inflammatory properties of mushrooms and the potential metabolic advantages of Za’atar, a spice blend from the Middle East. To engage younger audiences, the PAS GRAS team has created educational materials, including colouring books and video games, to help children learn about diet and lifestyle.
Both CoDiet and PAS GRAS are committed to providing policy guidelines to effect meaningful change. ‘To change policies, you need evidence from many projects, not just one,’ Oliveira explained. ‘Working together helps us establish common ground for common policies.’
Researchers agree that prevention should be the primary focus in combating obesity. ‘We are treating obesity reactively. We try to cure instead of prevent,’ Oliveira warned. Dr Tueros echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that international collaboration will lead to impactful solutions for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
The undeniable link between obesity and chronic diseases has been increasingly recognised, with recent studies indicating that rising obesity rates are contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is already the leading cause of death in Europe. The European Commission is now formulating an EU Cardiovascular Health Plan aimed at reducing premature deaths from CVD through healthier lifestyle promotion, obesity prevention, and improved early detection and treatment options.
As Dr Dagbasi concluded, ‘Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns of our time, and we need to address it. Having a holistic understanding of its causes will help us tackle the problem better.’
