Andorra Launches 'Gols per la Vida' Pilot to Combat Youth Obesity and Diabetes

The Ministry of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities has launched the "Gols per la Vida" project, led by the Andorran Association Against Cancer (ASSANDCA) and the Andorran Diabetics Association (ADBA), with support from the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS) and the Andorran Football Federation.

Aimed at first-year ESO students at the Andorran Secondary School, the pilot programme combines nutrition education and sports to encourage healthy lifestyles and prevent chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. It forms part of the Ministry of Health's "Mou-te per la teva salut" initiative, which emphasises balanced diets and regular activity during adolescence, when young people often start selecting their own snacks and meals.

Nutritionists delivered tailored workshops on 16 and 18 June, covering balanced eating, hydration and the link between diet and sports performance. These were followed by an inter-school mini football tournament on 23 June, held on pitches provided by the federation to demonstrate the benefits of combining nutrition with exercise in a fun, team setting.

Additional elements included distributing informational materials and offering healthy refreshments at events, while steering clear of sugary and ultra-processed foods. The project also promotes teamwork, social bonds and creativity, reinforcing schools' role in building long-term healthy routines.

Olga Moreno, director of the Andorran Secondary School, stated that the initiative shows the government's commitment to youth health and wellbeing, using education to embed positive habits from the outset. Officials highlighted the coordinated effort among partners to foster a more conscious and active generation through cross-cutting public health measures.