THE development of an innovative mobile phone project designed to help people manage their weight, was recently launched by Minister for Economic Development, Lara Giddings.

Steve Chau, Verdant Tasmania, Deputy Premier Lara Giddings and Lyle Borlase, CSIRO Tasmanian ICT Centre at the launch of the mobile phone project.

Ms Giddings said the new product, Weight Management Mentor, links into the CSIRO’s Total Wellbeing Diet and collects health management information and provides users with feedback and motivation.

“This is a great example of how modern technology can help to keep people healthy - in this case by making it easier for them to monitor and manage their weight,” Ms Giddings said.

“This project is addressing an area of research and national concern around epidemic levels of obesity across all age groups.

“By using mobile phone technology, it aims to increase the effectiveness of the weight management program in the target age group of under 30s.

“Created following a collaboration between the State Government, Verdant Tasmania and CSIRO’s Tasmanian ICT Centre, this is also an excellent example of a successful collaboration between government, business and researchers to commercialise innovative products.

“Tasmania is rich in ideas and innovation, but faces the challenges of proximity to global markets, retention of human resources and scalability of projects.

“Collaboration is therefore a vital part of survival and growth in this environment.

“Verdant Tasmania received a $100,000 grant from the Intelligent Island’s Research Partnership Program, which also required the company and research organisation to co-invest at least $100,000 each in the commercialisation process.

“This successful partnership has resulted in the development of an interactive weight management program delivered through mobile handheld technology.

“Mobile phone based solutions also enable access to health care to all socio-economic levels, breaking down the barriers of access to health information and services and support regardless of location, time or condition.

“This innovative project would not have been possible without funding from the Intelligent Island program, which is funded by the Federal Government and administered by the Tasmanian Government.

“The Tasmanian ICT Centre is also funded with $15 million by the Intelligent Island program, which is matched by funding from CSIRO,” Ms Giddings said.