Hey Australia! You’re fat. And lazy. Which is why the federal government has pumped bucketloads of cash into its latest health campaign, “Swap it, don’t stop it”. And now to try and get your overweight backside to jump on board, there’s an app for iOS that offers swapping hints to tray and help you lose the pudge.
The free app offers a heap of pre-selected ‘swaps’ to try, as well as using your iPhone’s GPS to locate nearby activities to help you battle the bulge. Over 12 weeks, the app will track your progress and award you badges as you tell it you’ve swapped things for a healthier alternative.
The cynic in me says that any government endorsed iPhone app isn’t going to succeed in changing people’s bad habits, but the optimist in me thinks that it’s good to see the generally backwards-thinking government actually engaging with new technologies to try and get people to help themselves when it comes to their health. Considering it’s a free app, at least we can take solace that Apple aren’t taking a 30% cut of our tax-funded battle with obesity.
[iTunes]
MDolley
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 2:42 PMBecause I am using Windows Phone I can just stay fat? Awesome.
Dain Bramage
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:51 PMBy being fat we are sticking it to the man.
dwh
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:26 PMI think it is actually a really good initiative by the government for a change. The scheme is quite a simple and effective one that I know for one is getting through to and helping some people. Yes it is dumbed down and lame but they’ve taken a smart simply approach to getting people to stop eating junk and exercise a bit more, in small steps.
matt
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:32 PMin other words, Swap being fat and lazy, for being fit and healthy.
AHHH!!! WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT!!?!?
TSH
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:43 PMSmall steps, folks.
Like “Slip Slop Slap” and “Life, Be In It” (<3 Norm and co.), they're just getting a simple message out there using whatever channel they can.
So this gets a thumbs-up from me!
Nathan
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 3:58 PMHaha, when I saw the opening line in Reader I thought to myself, “Kat Hannaford must have wrote that article”!
Don’t worry though, Nick. I actually respect your journalism.
Ammusionist
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 4:27 PMAndroid .. ?
Matt Esse
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 11:47 PMPlease see “Windows Phone” above. Sorry Fatty.
Sicarius123
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 6:32 PMI like how the entire message of this campaign is flawed.
Don’t stop, just swap.
I don’t know how someone is going to get outside and be active without STOPPING being on the lounge watching TV.