Nutrition and physical activity

Promoting recovery and health by optimising an integrated diet and exercise programme for patients during and after illness.

Who are we?

Nutrition & Physical activity NU (VBNU) is a collaboration between Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Amsterdam UMC; departments Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, the research institutes Amsterdam Movement Sciences and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism en the consortium of lectureships Mensen in Beweging van de Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

We launched this initiative with these organisations in 2021 and would like to collaborate with other partners. A number of statements of support can be found at the bottom of this page.

Why?

Nutrition and physical activity are often addressed separately in research, education, and clinical practice, despite growing evidence that an integrated approach is essential for optimizing recovery and health in patients with conditions such as malnutrition, sarcopenia, and obesity. In 2021, the platform Nutrition & Activity NOW (Voeding & Beweging NU; VBNU) was established as a collaboration between Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, and affiliated research institutes. VBNU aims to enhance patient outcomes by promoting integrated nutrition and exercise care and by bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical implementation.

How?

VBNU operates as a multidisciplinary knowledge and networking platform connecting healthcare, research, and education. A central online platform provides access to ongoing and completed projects, practical tools, and educational resources. Researchers manage their own project pages and participate in monthly meetings to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration. Scientific findings are translated into accredited training programs for healthcare professionals and incorporated into educational curricula. In parallel, clinical questions are actively collected and fed back into research agendas. The platform also fosters collaboration with external partners, including public–private partnerships with industry.

What?

VBNU has improved the visibility, accessibility, and application of research on nutrition and physical activity. More than 25 projects have already collaborated with VBNU. The platform offers practical tools developed within research projects, such as applications for monitoring protein intake and tools supporting dietary assessment, which are now widely used in both research and clinical practice. Additionally, VBNU facilitates the implementation of knowledge through professional training and education, while promoting transparency and reducing duplication of research efforts. The platform functions as a central hub where researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals connect and build upon existing knowledge. Not only in Dutch, but also in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Management of this website

The Nutrition and Physical Activity website is a collaborative platform for researchers involved in ongoing projects. Here, they share information with fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, study participants and other interested parties. Where possible, we make use of each other’s materials and insights, and build on what has been developed in previous or parallel projects.

Each PhD student is responsible for the content of their own project page. We meet monthly to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration and ensure the unity and coherence of the website.