ABSTRACT
Obesity and being above ideal weight have become increasing problems among both adults and children over the last two decades in many countries. With the rhythm of life becoming more hectic, there is often a perceived lack of time to take care of oneself and meet the basic needs of the body. In order to keep up with this busy world, health promoters can adapt and develop innovative and effective strategies to foster healthy weight. The project FAN – Famiglia, Attività fi sica, Nutrizione 1 was created with the aim of addressing healthy weight by improving physical activity and dietary habits of families (parents with children attending elementary or fi rst two classes of middle school) living in Canton Ticino, 2
Switzerland. This project is an innovation in Ticino, since it makes use of new technologies (web, email, and SMS) for disseminating tailored communication about diet and physical activity, in a region that is characterized by a preference for face-to-face communication. 3
As in many other countries, the rates of overweight and obesity have increased in Switzerland (Schopper and Promotion Santé Suisse (PSS) 2005; Uffi cio federale della sanità pubblica (UFSP) and Dipartimento federale dell’interno DFI 2008; Uffi cio federale dello sport (UFSPO) et al. 2009). These problems affect both genders in all age groups, including children. In 1992, 31.3 percent of the Swiss population was overweight or obese, and this increased to 38.8 percent in 2002 and to 39.5 percent in 2011 (Monitoraggio della strategia a lungo termine di Promozione Salute Svizzera 2012).
