Lifestyle medicine in obesity and diabetes

Group

Diet and physical activity can have a major impact on chronic diseases, in terms of prevention, delaying disease onset, or relieving the burden of disease.

We study the role of these lifestyle factors, primarily in humans, using observational studies and lifestyle interventions. As outcomes, we study weight gain and obesity, glucose metabolism and diabetes type 2, major chronic diseases, and mortality. We look at associations between these factors from different perspectives: how do such associations change with age, or with severity of illness? Are they influenced by gender, socio-economic status, or region of residence?

Our research group organises the GECKO Drenthe cohort.

Relevance

How our research benefits to society

Obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 are worldwide, but also on a national scale, severe problems that drive a pandemic of non-communicable diseases. Our research contributes to understanding the size of the problem, and finding ways to prevent and treat obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 by addressing their root causes: poor lifestyle.