Program duration: 01/11/2025 - 31/10/2028

Healthy EAT – Promoting HEalthy hAbits to tackLe the childhood obesiTY through a multifactorial family-focusEd strATegy

Healthy EAT is a 30-month project (1/11/2015 – 30/04/2028) funded by the European Union’s ERASMUS+ Program. Healthy EAT aims to strengthen parental competencies, equip social and health educators with tailored training, and foster behavioral change to prevent childhood obesity. It enhances nutrition literacy, supports informed food choices, and promotes sustainable eating habits.

Childhood obesity is a growing public health crisis in Europe, with prevalence rates tripling over the past decades (WHO, 2021). Today, one in three children in the WHO European Region is overweight or obese (WHO 2022; COSI 2022-2024). This trend significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, while also affecting children’s psychological well-being, leading to lower self-esteem, social stigma, and emotional distress (Hussein et al., 2020). Through digital learning tools and community engagement, the project ensures accessibility, scalability, and policy impact, contributing to a healthier food environment for children across Europe.

Healthy EAT delivers two key results: the e-booklet (R1) and the e-learning platform (R2), equipping families and health & social educators with practical nutrition strategies. Expected outcomes include improved food literacy, enhanced parental competencies, and increased professional capacity to support families. The project fosters behavioral change, promotes sustainability, and informs policy recommendations, ensuring long-term impact on childhood obesity prevention across Europe.

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