New wellness index online at Nestlé

"The online tool was designed to encourage South Africans to take a closer look at themselves and make a conscious effort to adopt a healthier lifestyle," says Naazneen Khan, nutrition, health and wellness manager at Nestlé South Africa.

To take the test, simply register on the site and start the quiz. It only takes a few minutes and once all three sections have been completed, the WelNes IQ score will be revealed.

The quiz covers three topics, namely nutrition, health and wellness and includes questions ranging from 'Which two food groups should make up the basis of your meal?' and 'You know water quenches your thirst, why else do you drink water?' to 'How much do you worry about aspects of your life'.

The tool allows you to compare your score with other participants according to gender and age to determine your wellness performance. The site also provides advice and tips in the areas you need to focus on as well as helpful articles to guide you on your journey to better health.

"Redo the test regularly to monitor your progress. As you improve your score you'll be able to improve your nutrition, health and wellness by perhaps eating better or reducing the pressure points in your life."

A BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator is also available to give participants an indication of where they stand in the healthy weight range based on weight and height. For expert advice or any queries on results or the quiz, users can use the 'Ask the expert' section on the website to send a message.

The move to a healthier lifestyle is fuelled by an understanding of one's own wellbeing and identifying those areas where change is needed. "We want to equip consumers with knowledge to empower them to read food labels, scrutinize their meal plans and lead an active lifestyle so that they can become healthier and happier individuals," she concludes.

For more information, go to www.welnesiq.org.