Beyond pilots: sustainability strategies in the tuscan living lab’s healthy eating promotion activities
1
Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Pisa, Italy
2
Sustainable Food Systems - ICLEI European Secretariat, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
3
Heidelberg Institute of Global Health - University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Promoting healthy and sustainable eating behaviors in youth is recognized as a public health priority and a shared global challenge1. Although evidence exists on effective strategies to support healthy eating, ensuring long-term sustainability remains a challenge, particularly when interventions need to scale into consistent and sustained practices2. To address this need, the Tuscan Living Lab, within the European FEAST project, implemented and scaled a successful intervention co-created with middle and high school students while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of a public outpatient clinic for the treatment of youth overweight/obesity.
METHODS:
School-based project: 110 students participated in co-creating the intervention, dissemination strategies were identified to share seven thematic modules, which included theoretical and practical lessons on healthy eating developed during the intervention. Outpatient clinic: after successfully testing the planned care pathway, a process was established to support its long-term implementation and funding. A workshop with key district level professionals consolidated agreement on the need for the clinic, after which a formal request was submitted to the Health Directorate to include it within the ambulatory specialist service package, highlighting its proven ability to respond to local needs.
RESULTS:
A toolkit for teachers was developed, available in both English and Italian; it included: a slide deck; set of interactive activities; and a booklet providing, for each slide, key concepts to convey and tips. The toolkit has been disseminated and preliminary pathways for replication are in place, supported by active contacts with potential adopters. Since January 2026, the clinic has become a permanent public service within the Piana di Lucca District Zone and has been further strengthened with the addition of a psychological service.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Living Lab experience demonstrates how targeted strategies can transform pilot initiatives into replicable, sustainable interventions integrated within local health and educational services.
Promoting healthy and sustainable eating behaviors in youth is recognized as a public health priority and a shared global challenge1. Although evidence exists on effective strategies to support healthy eating, ensuring long-term sustainability remains a challenge, particularly when interventions need to scale into consistent and sustained practices2. To address this need, the Tuscan Living Lab, within the European FEAST project, implemented and scaled a successful intervention co-created with middle and high school students while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of a public outpatient clinic for the treatment of youth overweight/obesity.
METHODS:
School-based project: 110 students participated in co-creating the intervention, dissemination strategies were identified to share seven thematic modules, which included theoretical and practical lessons on healthy eating developed during the intervention. Outpatient clinic: after successfully testing the planned care pathway, a process was established to support its long-term implementation and funding. A workshop with key district level professionals consolidated agreement on the need for the clinic, after which a formal request was submitted to the Health Directorate to include it within the ambulatory specialist service package, highlighting its proven ability to respond to local needs.
RESULTS:
A toolkit for teachers was developed, available in both English and Italian; it included: a slide deck; set of interactive activities; and a booklet providing, for each slide, key concepts to convey and tips. The toolkit has been disseminated and preliminary pathways for replication are in place, supported by active contacts with potential adopters. Since January 2026, the clinic has become a permanent public service within the Piana di Lucca District Zone and has been further strengthened with the addition of a psychological service.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Living Lab experience demonstrates how targeted strategies can transform pilot initiatives into replicable, sustainable interventions integrated within local health and educational services.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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