A healthy metabolism is crucial for humans to develop from childhood to adulthood, and thereafter to age in a healthy and active way. Metabolism and the ageing process are tightly correlated: metabolism affects the ageing of an organism, while the metabolic system declines with increasing age. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome − of which obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemias are core components − increases strongly with age. Furthermore, the prognosis, progression and mortality of these diseases depend in part on age. Metabolism-related and chronic diseases often display a period without clear clinical symptoms or with non-specific clinical symptoms, which means such diseases may easily go undiagnosed. Nevertheless, this is the stage in the process of ageing where we can intervene, potentially in a personalized manner. Realization of the goals set by the CLDM will lead to better detection, prevention and intervention of disease and, consequently, to a prolonged healthy life span.