What’s Going On: The OBEClust Network

A new game-changer is underway in the fight against youth obesity. King’s College London is one of 16 partners in the EU‑funded PAS GRAS project, operating under the umbrella of OBEClust—a European obesity research network backed by €80 million in funding. The aim? Combine science, education, and policy to create real, impactful solutions for young people in the UK and across Europe.(King’s College London)

Dr Afshan Malik at King’s is leading the UK side, working with metabolic researchers and UK Biobank data to identify biomarkers of obesity and explore how metabolic health differs across populations.(King’s College London)

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Why OBEClust is Big News for Youth

1. It’s Not Just Science—it’s You.
   This isn’t a dusty lab project—it’s designed to improve the lives of real kids and teens. That means better school food, smarter health messaging, and evidence-based support.
2. Youth-Focused Advocacy.
   PAS GRAS isn’t just for researchers. It partners with youth-led advisory groups, drawing on projects like CO‑CREATE which let young people design obesity policy. Teen voices from across Europe are demanding healthier environments and fairer marketing on junk food.(Research and innovation)
3. Education That Works.
   Millions in funding is being used to build nutrition literacy, supportive community programmes, and school-based interventions that young people helped design. It’s about making healthy choices the easiest choices.

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The Youth Impact: Hard Data Meets Real Stories

The urgency is clear:

• Over ONE IN FIVE adolescents across Europe are now overweight or obese, especially those in deprived areas.(gla.ac.uk)
• In the UK, adolescents now get around 66% of their daily calories from ultra-processed food—linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gut inflammation.(nihr.ac.uk)

That level of junk‑food reliance is not just a health issue—it’s a life‑shaping barrier.

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How the PAS GRAS/OBEClust Initiative Tackles It

Strategy	What It Means for Young People
Medical Science	Identifying metabolic risk through UK Biobank data—predicting who’s most vulnerable and why.(King’s College London)
Youth‑led Policy	Teen task forces propose banning junk‑food marketing near schools, promoting healthy meals, water fountains, and cooking lessons.(Research and innovation)
Education & Literacy	Campaigns in schools and online led by scientists and youth, creating relatable content about nutrition and body positivity.
Cross‑Country Strategy	Shared projects across eight EU countries mean best practices can move fast—so if it works in Rotterdam, it can roll out in Sheffield.

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What This Means for You

This project signals a shift:

• Health is personal, not optional. PAS GRAS will help normalize healthy eating and mental wellness alongside academic and career success.
• Youth get a seat at the table. You’re not just a target consumer—you’re a policy designer and voice-maker.
• Intervention isn’t shame — it’s empowerment. Campaigns aim to reduce stigma and include support for body image and confidence. That’s crucial—good mental health in early teens can reduce obesity risk later, according to Liverpool-led studies.(gla.ac.uk, bbc.co.uk)

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Next Steps: How You Can Be Part of the Change

• Follow PAS GRAS content and OBEClust updates on social or university channels—they often feature youth-designed challenges and tips.
• Join youth alliances or local health councils at school/university—ask if they’re part of PAS GRAS outreach or pilot schemes.
• Create your own content: Use platforms like TikTok or Insta to share healthy recipes, myth-busting nutrition facts, and talk about your daily habits.
• DM your local MP or councillor—ask them to support universal free school meals, ban junk‑food ads near schools, and fund sports/meal programmes in deprived areas.

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Final Thoughts

This initiative is more than policy—it’s a conversation about fairness. It’s about making healthy options affordable when hoodies cost money and cereal is everywhere. It’s about giving youth agency—not just telling you what to eat, but listening to what you eat, why, and how.

The fight against obesity isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon of policy shifts, community support, and culture change. PAS GRAS and OBEClust are giving young people fuel to run that race.

You aren’t just statistics. You are the generation that will demand better school meals, inclusive body messaging, real access to activity, and justice in food systems.

Because when youth lead health, the entire society grows stronger—and you walk into your future with purpose, clarity, and strength.

If you want tips on how to make healthy cooking fun, start a school campaign, or just talk about being body positive in a diet-obsessed world—hit us back. You’re not alone.

To find out more information about this, visit Kings College London News site

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