BIO-STREAMS
BIO-STREAMS is an EU-funded multi-pillar framework addressing childhood obesity. The project will combine EU-wide data into a virtual biobank on childhood obesity. To make the biobank valuable at every level of obesity intervention, from the individual patient to policy makers and researchers, it is supported by a platform designed for each use case. The platform is further enhanced by mobile tools to provide personalized recommendations.
The WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022 reveals that overweight and obesity have reached epidemic levels across the EU. The growing prevalence among children and adolescents is especially concerning, increasing long-term health risks and straining healthcare systems.
Early prevention is essential, but the complex nature of obesity, combined with rapidly changing environments, makes it difficult to identify effective, lasting solutions. Despite numerous initiatives, guidelines and policy efforts, current systemic approaches have shown limited impact.
To address these challenges, the BIO-STREAMS (Biobank Integration and Open Streams for Tackling Childhood Obesity) Platform offers a comprehensive, accessible framework with several key components:
- BIO-STREAMS Obesity Biobank: An EU-wide data-sharing hub supporting research and innovation. It hosts both real and synthetic datasets, enabling standardized data collection across multiple domains, including demographic, behavioural, clinical, genetic/epigenetic, and cost-related information.
- Knowledge Hub: A repository of tailored policy guidelines for different audiences (health professionals, schools, and citizens), alongside best practices and up-to-date research outcomes.
- Open Toolkit: A personalized risk assessment and behavioural intervention engine.
- Marketplace: A suite of mobile tools for collecting data and supporting users in maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
- BIO-STREAMS Community Network: A platform for sharing best practices, fostering community engagement, and connecting citizens with local obesity professionals.
BIO-STREAMS brings together a diverse network of partners across multiple settings, including seven hospitals in six EU countries and five school networks in five EU countries. The project also collaborates closely with several Horizon Europe sibling initiatives, such as Obelisk, healthyW8, SHIFT2HEALTH, BETTER4U, Pas Gras, OBCT, eprObes, and CoDiet.
PI at KI:
Project manager at KI: Billy Langlet