Web-based support for lifestyle changes

In industrialised countries, about a third of adults can

be classified as overweight. Very many people are also

physically inactive.

In motivating people to change their lifestyles, com-

prehensive counselling has proved to be more effective

than just giving them a set of instructions. Unfortu-

nately, counselling is time-consuming for healthcare

professionals.

In a project that is part of SalWe’s Mind and Body Pro-

gramme a web-based mini-intervention programme

has been developed. The programme gives advice on

diet and physical activity via the internet.

“Our main target groups are obese, overweight and

physically inactive young adults. The first version of

the programme includes brief information about phys-

ical activity and food and dietary matters. It encour-

ages people to take more exercise and it explains the

importance of eating rhythms and meal content,” says

Professor Urho Kujala of the University of Jyväskylä.

Healthy diet and taking more exercise are lifestyle changes that effectively and efficiently cut the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. A web-based counselling programme about physical activity and diet has been developed as part of SalWe’s Mind and Body Programme. The development work has been done at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Eastern Finland, with Firstbeat Technologies as the commercial partner.

www.salwe.fi

SalWe - Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being

Accessible and interactiveThe programme is easy to use and users can record

how they follow and react to the guidelines each day.

In an ongoing randomised controlled trial, test sub-

jects have been given about 20 minutes instruction on

how to use the programme and record their responses.

It takes only about 5 minutes to learn how to use the

simple version of the programme.

The programme can be used alone or in combination

with a more comprehensive intervention.

Proven weight loss“In the ongoing trial, we have been measuring out-

comes like fat percent and stress levels in the be-

ginning of the trial and over 3-month and 6-month

follow-ups. The preliminary results show that partici-

pants have lost weight. The final results will be avail-

able in 2013,” explains Docent Marjukka Kolehmainen

from the University of Eastern Finland.

The controlled study is also investigating which advice

each participant follows and which participants gain

the greatest benefit from the intervention. A more

advanced version will then be designed to concentrate

on the most effective features.

The Mind and Body Programme also intends to test

more comprehensive interventions that are aimed

at having a strong effect on personal motivation for

lifestyle changes. Matching the type of intervention

to individual characteristics may be a good way of

reinforcing lifestyle changes. That could increase the

use of this kind of a programme and a more effective

platform would also have greater business potential.

“The programme is targeted principally at overweight or obese young adults who take little exercise.”

Urho Kujala, University of Jyväskylä

More information

Urho KujalaprofessorUniversity of Jyväskyläurho.m.kujala@jyu.fi+358 40 805 3567

Marjukka KolehmainendocentUniversity of Eastern Finlandmarjukka.kolehmainen@uef.fi+358 40 355 3617

SalWe - Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation in Health and Well-being