European Parliament: From “One Size Fits All” to Personalized Nutrition
Most public health policies continue to operate under a flawed assumption: that we’re all the same. As a result, nutrition regulations are often designed using a one-size-fits-all approach — universal rules, restrictions, and taxes that overlook the complexity of human biology, lifestyle, and culture.
But obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are multifactorial challenges. They cannot be addressed by simply reducing sugar, banning fats, or applying traffic-light labels. And yet, this is the dominant narrative driving today’s health interventions.
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That’s why, ahead of the United Nations High-Level Meeting 4 (HLM4) on NCDs, we brought this critical conversation to the European Parliament. The event, promoted by the European People’s Party (EPP), MEP Letizia Moratti, and Competere – Policies for Sustainable Development, gathered a panel of leading scholars and experts to explore a new path: personalized nutrition, powered by science, technology, and individual empowerment.
Our goal was clear: shift the conversation from restriction to education, from control to freedom.
Why “One Size” Fails
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Policies that attempt to regulate what people eat based on average metrics often ignore key facts:
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We are biologically diverse — different genetics, metabolisms, lifestyles, and needs.
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Context matters — what’s harmful for one may be harmless or even beneficial for another.
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Behavioral change is complex — and fear-based messaging rarely results in lasting improvement.
Take the example of sugar taxes. The average reduction from these policies is about 5 grams per person per day — less than one teaspoon, or just 0.83% of a 2000 kcal diet. While nutritionally marginal, these taxes can disrupt entire food supply chains, penalize small producers, and increase costs for vulnerable consumers.
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What If We Could Do Better?
We now have the tools to do much more than punish ingredients. AI, IoT, and advanced diagnostics can help tailor dietary advice, promote truly balanced lifestyles, and empower individuals to make informed, responsible decisions based on their own data — not a generic label.
This means focusing on:
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Portion, frequency, and variety
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Physical activity and mental well-being
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Cultural and individual preferences
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Long-term behavior, not short-term compliance
In short, nutrition policy must evolve — not only to reflect current science, but to respect the freedom and intelligence of the individual.
The Future of Public Health is Personal
The event at the European Parliament marked an important step in this direction. We were honored to be joined by distinguished scholars including [insert names], who offered deep insights and practical recommendations for creating more effective, inclusive, and science-driven policies.
This conversation is just the beginning. As we move toward HLM4, we believe that any meaningful strategy to address obesity and NCDs must abandon outdated models and embrace a future built on personalization, trust, and empowerment.
