HealthyW8 consortium partners have published a new open-access paper presenting an Integrated Participatory Design Process for developing user-centred strategies and digital tools to prevent overweight and obesity in Europe.
HealthyW8 is pleased to announce a new open-access publication authored by consortium partners, showcasing an innovative and inclusive approach to the prevention of overweight and obesity.
The article, titled “An Integrated Participatory Design Process to Define Intervention Strategies and Technological Tools for the Prevention of Overweight/Obesity”, has been published by Arianna D’Ulizia and Alessia D’Andrea (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – CNR, Italy) together with Christoph Stahl (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology – LIST), all partners in the HealthyW8 project.
Co-designing Health Solutions with Users at the Centre
The publication introduces an Integrated Participatory Design Process (IPDP), a methodological framework that combines design thinking and user-centred design. The approach actively involves end users and stakeholders throughout the design process to co-create intervention strategies and digital tools that are better aligned with real needs, expectations, and everyday contexts.
By placing community involvement and user engagement at the core of health innovation, the IPDP framework aims to improve both the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of obesity prevention interventions.
Direct Relevance to the HealthyW8 Project
The methodology described in the paper is not purely theoretical. It is already being applied within HealthyW8, the EU-funded project dedicated to transforming obesity prevention in Europe through digital innovation, personalised interventions, and participatory approaches.
This work reinforces HealthyW8’s commitment to developing solutions with people, for people, ensuring that digital health tools are inclusive, usable, and impactful across diverse populations.