Active lifestyle and healthy food choices in adolescence: Peers4food, a peer-to-peer empowerment project of the Department of Psychology of the University of Turin and Eit – Food
According to 2020 Eurispes report, Italian teenagers have the highest percentage of overweight (21.3%) and obesity (9.3%) in the whole European Union. It is undeniable that, in order to modify eating habits and, more generally, lifestyle in adolescence, the peer group is of fundamental importance. These two considerations led to the creation of Peers4Food, a project of the Department of Psychology of the University of Turin, with the support of the European Union through EIT Food, the European Institute of Technology.
Peers4Food is centered on the idea that the promotion of healthy eating habits and of an active lifestyle is more effective when stimuli and support for change come from the peer group. Addressed to adolescents between 14 and 18, Peers4Food co-constructs, with the participants who join the project, a Smart Food Training (SFT) program that includes diet, exercise and psychological support.
Peers4Food is designed to gradually accompany the adolescents involved towards autonomy: individual growth passes through inclusion and an active and proactive involvement in the group of peers with activities and experiences to be carried out together. All actions within the project will initially be organized, encouraged and accompanied by researchers and professional experts, and gradually left to the creativity and skills of the participants. A nutritionist, a coach, a doctor and the team of psychologists responsible for the project will accompany the boys in each phase of the project.
Peers4Food establishes that participants share their experience on social channels, creating Instagram and Facebook profiles specifically dedicated and managed by the social media manager of the project, in accordance with Italian privacy laws and adhering to the EIT requirements on communication and public engagement.
Proof of Concept for Societal Impact | EIT Food
Peers4Food Partners
Per UniTO il Dipartimento di Psicologia
- Barbara Loera, Responsabile scientifico, Professore Associato di Psicometria
- Giorgia Molinengo, Ricercatrice, Psicometria
- Filippo Rutto, Psicologo, Psicoterapeuta