Oviva and the obesity experts from the University Clinic for Diabetology, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM) at the University Hospital of Bern and the University of Bern are seeking to combat obesity with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to a press release issued by the digital health company Oviva, which is based in Altendorf in the canton of Schwyz, the widespread disease of obesity affects half of the population of Europe.
The aim of this research is to develop an AI-based model for customized nutritional advice for people suffering from obesity with pathological effects. To achieve this, the metabolism and nutritional scientists have turned to an algorithm, which, according to the information in the press release, combines aspects including automatic food recognition, mathematical models and expert knowledge.
The system for personalized nutritional advice developed on this basis focuses on individual weight goals. For many obese patients, it is difficult to break their own eating and life habits on a day-to-day basis, says Lia Bally, senior physician at the University Hospital of Bern. “By using artificial intelligence, we are facilitating digital solutions to help solve this problem”, she explains.
The project is being co-financed by Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency, to the tune of just over 325,000 francs. Initial results are expected in 12 to 18 months. Felix Schirmann, Scientific Director at Oviva, is delighted to have “a strong partner” in the shape of UDEM, so that the company can now focus on making earlier research into the benefits of AI “usable in the everyday lives of patients”.
