happy + healthy
fitness technology
TECH SUPPORT
USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN TEENS
Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. It doesn’t
take a rocket scientist to link this increase in weight with an
increase in technology usage and the decrease in physical
inactivity among the youth that comes with it.
Dr. Nefertiti Durant, Division of General Pediatrics and
Adolescent Medicine at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham and associate medical director at Children’s of
Alabama, decided to meet young adults where they are by
developing web-based technology to help those struggling with
obesity.
DID YOUbenefits for getting fit.
KNOW?
You can get these bonus
Through her efforts, Durant, with support from the Alabama Heart
Association and Rodney Joseph, PH.D, has created Love Your
Heart, a virtual community of support to help members lose weight
and improve their overall health.
• Save Money For Losing Weight: Weight Watchers
offers to waive the first two months membership fees for any
member who loses 10 pounds within two months of joining.
Physical inactivity is a huge risk
factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Earn Retail Discounts: MaximusLife is an online platform
that allows users to earn rewards such as retail discounts
when their fitness goals are achieved.
“The great thing about technology is that it meets people where
they are,” Durant said. “There are some people who don’t need a lot
of help and other groups that keep each other accountable.”
• Support Hunger Relief: Fitbit partnered with Feedin