Health District launches Half My Plate app

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 24, 2016

LAS VEGAS – How many servings of fruit and vegetables do you need, and how many are you actually consuming? The Southern Nevada Health District’s newest app, Half My Plate, can assist. The latest app helps users determine the suggested amounts of fruits and vegetables they need based on the USDA’s recommendations according to their age, gender, and physical activity level. The Half My Plate app is available through Apple Store for iOS devices or from Google Play for Android. For additional information, visit Get Healthy Clark County. For all Health District apps, visit the Southern Nevada Health District website, SNHD.info/apps

The Health District’s official ”launch” of the app coincides with the annual Food Day observance. Food Day encourages Americans to adapt healthier diets that include more unprocessed, fresh food to improve health and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

Half My Plate is customized for each user to help them reach their goals to eat a healthy diet. Throughout the day, users can track the fruits and vegetables they have eaten and add them to their “plate.” The app totals up the amounts and lets users know when they have achieved their goals. In addition, there is a searchable database of healthy recipes that feature fruits and vegetables for users to access.

In Clark County, 40.2 percent of adults report eating less than one serving of fruit per day, and 19.5 percent report eating less than one serving of vegetables. For moderately active adults, the recommended daily amount of fruit is two cups each day and two and a half cups of vegetables.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OCDPHP) provides information and education about ways to live a healthier lifestyle. Programs include online tools, resources, and apps to increase physical activity, prevent and/or manage diabetes, smoking cessation resources and tips, tools to identify sugar in beverages, healthy shopping options, and more.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.