SmartWithFood, a spin-off of Colruyt Group, and the European EIT Food and EIT Health are joining forces with the universities UGent, KULeuven, TUM (Technische Universität München), RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) on a new study "Hello Health", or research on prevention of metabolic syndrome in Europe. People with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is therefore important to avoid the development of a metabolic syndrome by detecting and treating it as soon as possible. Fortunately, it is reversible, by adjusting one's lifestyle.
Hello Health is a three-month qualitative programme for which SmartWithFood seeks out people who test positive for metabolic syndrome; that is, people who present at least three risk factors, such as an elevated abdominal circumference, and elevated cholesterol, sugar, blood pressure or triglyceride levels.
During this period, the participants of the study receive personal guidance via the SmartWithFood app and my.smartwithfood.com to deal more consciously and more balanced with food, exercise, sleep and mind & stress. The guidance towards a balanced lifestyle takes place via 3 digital 1-on-1 sessions with certified coaches and relevant advice in app. The participants are expected to commit to following the coaching closely and to reporting a number of objective parameters every month in order to better adapt the 'Health Coaching' programme to everyone's needs. The research will evaluate whether a behavioural change and positive evolution in risk parameters can be established by means of fully GDPR compliant questionnaires and a 3-fold blood test (at the start and end of the programme, and after an additional 6-month observation phase).
Ignace De Nollin, Managing Director at SmartWithFood: "The aim of this Hello Health research is to draw up a scientifically substantiated method for an initial prevention strategy and health programme. In this way, we continue to build step by step on our mission to make the road to sustainable health more accessible.”
The participation in the study is free of charge and in exchange for their participation the participants will receive a qualitative health coaching programme. The recruitment of the 100 participants runs from August 31st to September 15th via www.smartwithfood.be/hellohealth (preferably on PC via Google Chrome or Safari) where interested parties can check their eligibility by means of a GDPR-compliant test. The study itself will start in the autumn and the first results of this Hello Health study are expected in early 2022.
Colruyt Group wants to focus more and more on health and on stimulating a healthy lifestyle, among other things via SmartWithFood. Internal test projects on personalised advice for employees are currently running. In addition, the retailer also wants to contribute to scientific research that focuses on how personalised lifestyle counselling can make a difference.
About Colruyt Group
About Colruyt Group Colruyt Group operates in the food and non-food distribution sector in Belgium, France and Luxembourg with more than 600 own stores and over 580 affiliated stores. In Belgium, this includes Colruyt, OKay, Bio-Planet, Cru, Dreamland, Dreambaby, Bike Republic and the affiliated Spar and Spar Compact stores. In France, in addition to Colruyt stores, there are also affiliated Coccinelle, Coccimarket and Panier Sympa stores. The group is majority shareholder of The Fashion Society, which includes the fashion retail chains ZEB, PointCarré, The Fashion Store and ZEB For Stars. JIMS operates fitness clubs in Belgium and Luxembourg. Solucious and Culinoa deliver foodservice and retail products to professional customers in Belgium (hospitals, SMEs, hospitality sector, etc.). The other activities comprise the energy supply by DATS 24 in Belgium (fuels, natural gas and green energy), printing and document management solutions (Symeta Hybrid) and the production of green energy (Eoly). The group employs over 32.000 employees and recorded a EUR 9,9 billion revenue in 2020/21. Colruyt is listed on Euronext Brussels (COLR) under ISIN code BE0974256852.
For more information or questions, please contact the press department at Colruyt Group via press@colruytgroup.com / 0473 92 45 10.
