M (Madelief) Engels MSc

Madelief completed a Bachelor degree in Nutrution and Dietetics and a Master's degree in Nutrition and Health. She wrote a thesis 'Unravelling the targeted behavior determinants and behavior change strategies in current Dutch secondary-school-based initiatives focusing on healthy and sustainable dietary behavior'.

Madelief is currently doing a PhD project that focuses on 'Healthy Eating and Innovative Technology' with the aim of contributing to the health of young people in practical education (VMBO praktijkonderwijs in Dutch). Students in practical education often have a lower IQ (ranging from 50-80) and frequently come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, making it difficult for them to make healthy choices. Moreover, traditional health education methods often do not effectively engage this group of adolescents.

Madelief is one of the four PhD candidates starting their research within the Healthy Lifestyle for Low Literate Teenagers (LIFTS) project, which is a 5-year research initiative funded by NWO. The primary objective of LIFTS is to collaboratively develop effective health technologies in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the teenagers themselves and their caregivers. These technologies will be tailored to meet the needs, desires, and perspectives of these teenagers.