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In April of this year our institute 4 Preventive Health issued an Open Call for seed fund proposals. The call was open for transdisciplinary research proposals aligned with the i4ph’s four research lines. We are pleased to announce that, following a thorough selection process, four projects involving 23 researchers have been awarded seed grants.

Research line Healthy Start – Wonder and grow healthy

A dual-approach for picky eating children with autism spectrum disorder to support healthy eating habits.

Picky eating is a common issue among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), leading to nutrition deficiencies and health risks such as obesity and malnutrition. This project aims to develop an interactive platform that enhances sensory experiences to encourage diverse eating habits in children with ASD. The game-based platform will also provide essential support tools for parents, helping them manage their children’s eating behaviours effectively. By involving parents and healthcare professionals in the design process, proposed solutions are evidence-based and tailored to real-life needs, ultimately fostering healthier dietary practices for children with ASD.

Team

Clinical Partner

Read more about this project on their project page

Research line Preserving Health – How do system actors bend the rules?

How do system actors bend the rules of the system to mitigate socioeconomic insecurity and enhance health among vulnerable populations?

Socioeconomic health inequalities persist in the Netherlands, posing significant challenges to individuals facing socioeconomic insecurity. Research indicates that individuals in such circumstances experience shorter life expectancy and are more likely to encounter health issues earlier in life compared to those in more financially stable positions. Despite the presence of an extensive social welfare system in the Netherlands, comprising various social security arrangements, financial allowances, and benefits, navigating this system remains daunting for many individuals, especially those in vulnerable positions. Through close collaboration with system actors (e.g. frontline professionals and public servants) who bent system rules, and by doing so, successfully helped people in socioeconomic insecurity, this project seeks to explore innovative approaches to promote socioeconomic security and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Team

Read more about this project on their project page

Research line Living with Disease – hobo

HOrmonal disbalances impacting BOdy composition in women living with obesity A preparatory scoping review and pilot validation study

Body composition plays a crucial role in the health outcomes of individuals living with disease, particularly obesity. However, accurately monitoring body composition, especially in patients with obesity, poses significant challenges. Traditional methods such as DEXA, MRI, and CT imaging are accurate but impractical for routine clinical use due to cost and radiation exposure. Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA) offers a more accessible alternative but lacks accuracy, especially in individuals with disturbed water balance. The complexity is further compounded in women due to reproduction-related hormonal fluctuations. This project aims to address these challenges by developing more accurate measures of body composition at the individual level, incorporating hormonal fluctuations, and paving the way for home monitoring of body composition and hormonal imbalances.

Team

Clinical Partners

Read more about this project on their project page.

Research line Health @ Home – CardioWatch

Remote Monitoring of Food-Intake of Older Cardiometabolic Patients in Home Environment

The global population is aging rapidly, with those aged 65 and older projected to reach 22% in the next four decades, placing significant strain on healthcare systems. To mitigate this, there is a focus on self-management and home-based care, particularly through accurate dietary monitoring. Advanced technologies, from dietary diaries to smartphone apps, are being developed for this purpose, aiming to improve elderly health and reduce costs. Despite the potential benefits, older adults have specific requirements for technology use, currently resulting in low adherence and diminished long-term effectiveness of these interventions. The feasibility of using technologies, particularly for older cardiometabolic patients and food intake monitoring, remains to be fully assessed. The goal is to assess the unobtrusiveness, accuracy, reliability, and acceptance of these monitoring devices among older patients, especially those with cardiometabolic conditions.

Team

Read more about this project on their project page

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