SOCIAL INNOVATION
“Melius nurtures healthy Vietnamese future generations with comprehensive nutritious meals through an innovative application”
Social challenge
The target social issue that Melius aims to address is the prevalence of inadequate nutrition and its impact on the well-being of individuals, particularly mothers and children. In many communities, there is a lack of awareness and access to proper nutrition, leading to long-term health consequences and hindered development. This issue is especially prominent in underserved areas where resources and information about food are limited. Melius recognizes that nutrition is crucial to overall health and aims to empower individuals and families with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices. By offering the app solution, workshops, and affordable meal options, Melius seeks to bridge the gap in nutritional education and provide practical solutions to improve the nutritional status of our target population. Through our initiatives, Melius strives to promote healthy lifestyles, reducing the prevalence of malnutrition, and overweight, contributing to the overall well-being and development of individuals and communities.
Social solution
Melius offers a compelling social solution to address the critical issue of inadequate nutrition among mothers and children. Through our innovative mobile application and engaging workshops, we provide a comprehensive platform for parents and caregivers to access expert nutrition guidance, educational resources, and affordable meal options. By leveraging the power of technology and expert knowledge, Melius empowers families, particularly those in underserved communities, to make informed decisions about their nutrition and overall well-being. Our solution not only bridges the information gap but also fosters a supportive community where parents can connect, share experiences, and receive personalized recommendations. With Melius, we envision a future where every child receives the nourishment they need to thrive, and families are equipped with the tools and support to make lasting, positive changes in their lives.
Video presentation
1. Project description:
Melius was created to help families who are having problems creating balanced and nutritious meals for their children or who want to boost their nutritional knowledge. This application is intended to assist parents and caregivers in making educated decisions on their child’s food and nutrition, helping them develop in a healthy way while also avoiding potential illnesses. The application has several clever and easy features for parents, such as a tool to plan meals for each kid based on the kid’s health index, a journal for both the baby and the mother, and a link to prominent hospitals and nutritionists for parents. Furthermore, Melius’ users can discuss childcare experiences via the social forum created by Melius.
2. Target social issue
Currently, the number of malnourished and obese children in Vietnam has reached an alarming level. According to UNICEF (2019), one out of every three children is malnourished or obese. According to UNCEF (2019), more than 70% of children in Vietnam’s mountainous areas are underweight. Furthermore, the economic losses in low and middle-income countries due to diseases associated with overweight and obesity will exceed US$7 trillion between 2011 and 2025.
Following secondary research, the apparent causes may be broken down into the following 4 factors: family, community, government, and external factors.
Our qualitative research also has revealed the root causes, relevant to our primary research.
- 100% of respondents are aware of the importance of childhood nutrition-related disorders.
- However, 72% of mothers need more nutrition knowledge to provide nutritious menus for their children.
Due to 4 main reasons
- Not having enough time to prepare nutritious meals.
- Cannot find reliable sources to reference.
- Difficulty in finding organic food.
- Feeding children is still according to folk beliefs or advice from others.
3. Social solution idea
We aim to become the most trusted nutrition care app in Vietnam, where families can rely on our solutions and services.
Based on the above mentioned gaps, the Melius project is created using the Social Constructionist methodology. Melius’ goal is to alleviate problems, lower childhood malnutrition and obesity rates, and create a healthy next generation to fill those gaps.
- We offer an app with the integration of diverse features for mother in 22 – 28 year olds.
- Additionally, Melius initiative arranges workshops, training, and provides free online courses to help individuals understand the significance of nutrition.
Melius provides three distinct aspects depicted on our idea board to differentiate itself from the competition.
- Create and recommend meals for parents depending on their children’s BMI or accessible foods.
- Consulting and supporting 24/7 users directly with the integration of AI technology.
- Contact a nutritionist directly or schedule an appointment at a recognized pediatric hospital.
The link below is our video for the presentation:
We also provide our working papers and pieces of evidence, including:
2. Qualitative Research Report on Nutritional problems of children in Vietnam
3. Quantitative Research Report of Concept Testing with Mothers
4. Working evidences:
Qualitative research evidences: Interview record and transcript, Guideline interview