PAS GRAS – De-Risking metabolic, environmental and behavior determinants of obesity in children, adolescents, and young adults

Project description

PAS GRAS (‘not fatty’ in literal translation) is a European Union-funded research project that aims to clarify the role of lifestyle, mental health, family, socioeconomic factors, and the environment in the development of obesity, and their interaction with the genetic and metabolic characteristics of each individual. This project adopts an interdisciplinary approach, uniting a diverse team including researchers, health professionals, entrepreneurs, citizens, and local/national authorities. This collaborative effort spans 15 entities across 8 European countries.

Our group is leading a pivotal work package focused on creating a Risk Stratification Tool (RAT) for obesity and its complications. This tool integrates analyses of various parameters, including socioeconomics, lifestyle, brain function, and energy metabolism. Focused on overweight or obese children, adolescents, young adults, and their families, the RAT tool will drive personalized interventional studies, incorporating lifestyle adjustments like the Mediterranean Diet, and exploring pharmacological interventions.

Additionally, PAS GRAS will investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Mediterranean diet components as well as, create an international campaign aimed at increasing health literacy and raising awareness in society about the risks of obesity.

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