Innovative mobile app to help women stay healthy during pregnancy
Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, announced funding for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute for a project that will help improve the health of expectant mothers and their unborn children.
Through the Multi-sectoral Partnerships Approach to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Chronic Disease initiative, the CHEO Research Institute is receiving nearly $1.5 million to develop and evaluate a mobile app that will support and empower women to make healthy lifestyle choices during pregnancy.
The SmartMoms-Canada mobile app will enable expectant mothers to track their weight, physical activity levels, food intake and sleep. Personalized feedback will also help women improve their health choices or provide ways they can improve them in consultation with their healthcare provider. This will allow pregnant women to manage and reduce risk factors including excessive gestational weight gain, which can contribute to gestational diabetes and obesity - both for themselves and their unborn children.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and healthy eating, helps to prevent chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease and plays an important role in the well-being and quality of life of Canadians. Today’s announcement highlights how the Government of Canada is working with partners to find innovative approaches to maternal health to support healthier and more active lifestyles.
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Health Agency of Canada
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