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FatCombat: A Health Video Game for Education and Promotion of the Recommended Fat Intake among Children

Authors:
Ismael Edrein Espinosa-Curiel
Edgar Pozas-Bogarin
Janeth Aguilar-Partida
Maryleidi Hernández-Arvizu
Edwin Emeth Delgado-Pérez

Keywords: Health video game; Children; Fat intake recommendations; Learning; Fat intake change.

Abstract:
Overweight and obesity are frequently assumed to be the result of an energy imbalance caused by an excess in calories and fat intake. To help children learn about the different types of fat and their intake recommendations, we developed the health video game FatCombat (FC). In this game, players go inside the bodies of children to help them eat healthily respecting fat intake recommendations. As a result of their actions, the heart can stay healthy and generate a constant flow of blood to the children’s bodies. FC is based on knowledge of fat intake and integrates a set of behavior change techniques related to cognitive and behavioral theories used in children’s health interventions. In this paper, we describe the design process for FC and report the results of a pilot study to evaluate the effect of FC on the knowledge children have of fat and to evaluate the user experience of FC players. Players of FC improved their knowledge of fats and the game provided high levels enjoyment.

Pages: 157 to 163

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2020

Publication date: March 22, 2020

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4138

ISBN: 978-1-61208-761-0

Location: Valencia, Spain

Dates: from November 21, 2020 to November 25, 2020