How technology can promote healthy living The rise in obesity and its medical consequences are a serious public health concern throughout Europe. An EU-funded project explored the factors that influence obesity and some technologies to help families lead healthier lifestyles. Health © Thinkstock Lifestyle-related diseases are both a health and economic issue in Europe. While the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are known, there are several barriers to putting the knowledge to action. The project BALANCE@HOME aimed to better understand the barriers to leading a healthier lifestyle and to develop technologies that both empower and guide people in leading healthier lives. The first step was to understand peoples' current nutrition habits. A user-centred approach was implemented to explore how people decide to eat, what factors influence that decision and how people could be supported in making healthier choices. In one study, peoples' grocery shopping habits were followed. The results showed that not adequately preparing for the shop often contributed to less healthy food choices. Another study explored barriers to eating healthy meals. This study found that the social context, the lack of support from family members, and family conventions and traditions often prevented people from making healthy decisions. With this knowledge in mind, BALANCE@HOME then moved on to the next phase: developing technologies linked to the kitchen and home that could help people lead healthier lifestyles. Solutions targeted obstacles such as cooking skills and family meal planning as a way to provide information and address the social aspect of health and wellness. One technology piloted a sensor that monitored healthy cooking competence. Another tested a meal planning application developed to support family decision making while integrating tips and information about healthy eating. The application engages the entire family and integrates family support into the solution. Users responded positively to both interventions. Technological interventions that encourage people to make good decisions in an unobtrusive manner may begin to tackle the obesity health care concern. Moving forward, technology can be put to use to promote healthy lifestyles. Keywords Healthy living, obesity, public health, lifestyle, nutrition, food choices, cooking, meal planning, health, wellness
