Emeritus Professor of Nutrition and Health Jaap Seidell receives the Impact Award 2025 for his immense contributions to the health and wellbeing of the city's children.
The Impact Award is presented to renowned researchers who make a meaningful contribution to society. This year, there is an extra Award to mark the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam. Jaap Seidell received it for his great achievements for a healthier environment for children in Amsterdam. The festive final of the Amsterdam Science & Innovation Award was on 17 June 2025.
Twenty years ago, Seidell set up the Health Sciences programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His research focused on nutrition, health and prevention and care of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the Netherlands, with a healthier environment for young people as a common thread. Chronic diseases of affluence start already in childhood, due to unhealthy food but also due to lack of knowledge and money in families where children grow up. Information and prevention are essential. Seidell has devoted his entire career to this, with numerous Amsterdam programmes, but also nationwide. His insights have been translated into programmes such as Healthy School Canteens and the National Prevention Agreement (sugar tax) and stricter food marketing rules for children.