BETTER4U

The obesity pandemic has emerged as the leading global public health threat of the 21st century, placing a significant health and financial burden on the individual, the healthcare system and society and demonstrating a particularly large impact on vulnerable and socially disadvantaged population groups. BETTER4U aims to probe into the global obesity challenge, study the problem and offer solutions in a tangible realistic way with the assistance of modern AI technologies and the contribution of experts around Europe. BETTER4U aims at the identification and personalized management of all weight gain determinants to battle the increasingly rising numbers of overweight/obesity, via homogenous, globally adaptable, and practically assessed public health initiatives and key interventions.  

BETTER4U will be realized through the following objectives:

  • To comprehensively understand and decipher genetics, metabolomics, microbiota, socio-economic, geographical, cultural and lifestyle features linked to weight gain throughout the life course, via meta-analyses (BETTER4U data from >50 studies, >1 million individuals) and extensive literature meta-review. 
  • To develop the BETTER4U intervention methodology for weight gain prevention, based on a causal AI model of obesity determinants and a pilot study in 7 European countries. 
  • To deploy technology-assisted, real-time monitoring tools to measure detailed behavioral indicators and their relation to the environmental context. 
  • To evaluate the efficacy of the novel BETTER4U intervention methodology in a controlled, randomized clinical trial, based on individually tailored recommendations for lifestyle change. 
  • To maximize transferability and applicability of the BETTER4U intervention methodology by identifying implementation barriers and facilitators, as well as to evaluate implementation outcomes in both participants and stakeholders. 
  • To develop and disseminate the BETTER4U obesity prevention intervention methodology guidelines using a people-centred, sustainable care approach.

BETTER4U is a 48-month project funded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). The Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law (UNIVIE) serves as the ethical, legal and compliance partner of the BETTER4U project and joins the consortium of 28 institutional partners of interdisciplinary expertise from Universities, Institutes, Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, spread across 21 European countries, the UK, Switzerland, Australia, and Israel. 

Experts of the Department working on this project: