Joselyn Brewer is a registered psychologist and she explains digital nutrition as a concept being developed to help understand the range of cognitive, social and educational values contained in the technology enabled media content we consume, and the way that technology impacts our psychology and overall physical and mental health.
It borrows from decades of research and public education on healthy food and eating choices to provide a framework for the kinds of online activities (games, apps etc) that provide the most benefits to consumers, the duration, frequency and intensity of optimal use and the developmental age at which games and apps are appropriate.
Digital nutrition is seen as an aspect of digital wellbeing and digital citizenship, it considers a range of issues from educational technology and games based learning, to screen-time limits, healthy tech habits and principles for digital wellbeing. It looks at the soft skills involved in developing the skills to use technology in a mindful and considered way, and to understand the underlying reasons we may choose to use technology in certain ways.
Nestlé and Samsung are announcing a research collaboration to explore the potential of nutrition science and digital sensor technologies to provide new insights into healthy living.
They are developing a new digital health platform to provide individuals with more personalised recommendations around nutrition, lifestyle and fitness than previously possible.
Their aim is to empower people to better manage their health and wellness using one simple, connected entity, rather than multiple platforms and devices.
The initial work on the platform will be carried out by the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Samsung Strategy and Innovation Centre (SSIC), headquartered in Silicon Valley, California.
The long-term goal of the collaboration is to combine ‘Internet of Things’ technology (the growing ability of devices in our lives to connect with each other) with breakthrough nutrition science, to provide people with greater ownership of their quality of life.
More details about the platform are expected when the first pilots begin in early 2017.
“We are delighted to enter this collaboration with a global leader in the field of sensor technologies,” said Stefan Catsicas, Nestlé Chief Technology Officer. “It will advance our Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy, to support people who want to live a healthier lifestyle.”
“Today, we live in an era where the data from sensors and devices in our daily lives, such as mobile phones, wearables, and ‘smart’ homes, can help us to understand our nutrition and activity and to guide us towards a healthier lifestyle,” said Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics.
