Project
DEDIPAC - DIet, Sedentary behaviour, and Physical Activity To Create a Healthy life. JPI HDHL - DEDIPAC
In the past 20 years, the field of health promotion research has grown considerably
trying to obtain a better health for all. Based on my own research, and my
interpretation of the state-of-the-art, I believe that we need to rethink health
promotion research. We need to develop interventions based on assumptions of selfregulation
and empowerment leading to skills and competences that can be applied in
changing situations and contexts.
The general objective of this research project is to prospectively develop and evaluate
new interventions that are matched to the individual’s (personal, social and
environmental) characteristics, apply the self-management or self-regulation
approach, and dynamic as they adapt themselves to the changing contexts and
characteristics of the participants.
We will develop mobile health applications on smartphones, tablets, … following the
self-regulation approach, and test the effectiveness of this new unique intervention
using a RCT. Physical activity was chosen as the outcome variable, as it is a key
factor in many chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity,
cancer, and has also a major impact on mental health. As very large proportions of the
whole world population are not reaching physical activity recommendations,
changing this health behaviour is a major challenge for society.