Wednesday 5 October 2011

mywellbeing

A new online diet and physical activity tool for young people aged 11-16 years has just been launched by the Foundation. mywellbeing aims to provide a friendly and engaging way to capture food and drink intake, as well as the amount of physical activity undertaken over one or three days.

Food diary

Users can enter what they consumed for reakfast, lunch, evening meal, snacks and drinks. There are over 450 food and drink items available, reflecting characteristics of the British diet and those of minority ethnic groups. Results are generated to provide guidance on the balance of the diet by comparing it with the government’s healthy eating models:
  • The eatwell plate; 
  • Tips for healthy eating.

The tool will not provide detailed dietary analysis, but rather feedback with general suggestions.

Activity diary

Levels of physical activity can also be entered online. A sensitive message is displayed prior to users entering data to reduce the chance of stigma arising for those people who have been less physically active. 



This data is used in reference to new government recommendations (Department of Health 2011), that young people should:
  • engage in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day;
  • incorporate vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least three days a week;
  • minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for a long period of time.

At the end of the activity there is also an opportunity for the user to make a pledge to improve or reinforce certain aspects of their diet and/or physical activity.

A teachers’ guide and food and activities which supplement the tool are also available to download.

To try the new online tool click here.