The National Health Service (NHS), which oversees publicly funded healthcare in the U.K., has launched an updated government app that aims to help families take the steps that they need in order to promote healthy eating in their homes and contribute to the ongoing fight against child obesity.
The NHS Food Scanner app makes it possible for users to go about scanning items in the grocery store before receiving suggestions for alternative food products that are lower in sugar, saturated salt and fat. Additionally, this government app also displays a 'Good Choice' badge that helps shoppers quickly identify those items that are deemed to be a positive influence on their dietary habits.
With obesity rising among children in the U.K., the updated NHS Food Scanner app is poised to display much utility in helping tackle the problem at its source by educating families on healthy eating.
Obesity-Tackling Government Apps
This App Helps Shoppers Select Healthier Food Products
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Eating Apps - Apps that promote healthier eating habits by providing information on alternatives to unhealthy food products are on the rise, providing opportunities for developing new app technologies.
2. Government-backed Health Apps - More government health apps are expected to be launched to help promote healthy living and increase awareness of health and disease. This trend can lead to the establishment of novel partnerships between governments, tech companies, and healthcare providers.
3. Anti-obesity Initiatives - As obesity rates increase worldwide, more initiatives are being introduced to tackle this issue. These initiatives present opportunities to companies that offer solutions and technologies that promote physical activity, healthy eating, and lifestyle changes.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can leverage the rise of government-backed health apps to expand their reach and facilitate patient engagement, leading to improved health outcomes.
2. Retail - The retail industry can leverage healthy eating apps like NHS Food Scanner to introduce new food products, enhance their brand value, and cater to customers' changing dietary needs.
3. Technology - The development of new anti-obesity technologies, such as apps, wearables, and IoT devices, presents an opportunity for tech companies to enter the healthcare and wellness markets and drive innovation and growth.