Efficacy and acceptability of an Internet platform to improve the learning of nutritional knowledge in children: the ETIOBE mates

Abstract

Possessing sufficient nutritional knowledge is a necessary component in the prevention and treatment of obesity. A solid understanding of nutrition can help people make appropriate food selections and can also help correct irrational ideas or myths people may believe about food. It is a challenge to provide this information to children in ways that are exciting. Thus, we propose an online video game platform to deliver the information. The objective of this study was to study the efficacy and acceptability of an online game called 'ETIOBE Mates' that was designed to improve children's nutritional knowledge; furthermore, we compare it with the traditional paper-pencil mode of information delivery. A sample of 228 children participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (who used ETIOBE Mates) and a control group (who were given a pamphlet). Both groups increased their scores for nutritional knowledge. The interaction between group × time was also statistically significant; it indicated that acquisition of nutritional knowledge was superior in the experimental group. The children considered the serious games platform to be a useful medium for improving their nutritional knowledge. Online games can be an effective method of delivery for preventive and treatment tasks that are otherwise tedious for children.

Improving awareness of health hazards associated with air pollution in primary school children: Design and test of didactic tools

“…In view of this generational change, the use of traditional teaching approaches appears to be insufficient, and the use of information technology tools may increase student motivation. Considering the age of the children who are involved in the MAPEC-Life project (i.e., in their first 3 years of primary school), audiovisual tools and particularly videogames have been recognized as being very efficient for motivating children to actively participate in learning activities (Banos, Cebolla, Oliver, Alcañiz, & Botella, 2012;Yien, Hung, Hwang, & Lin, 2011). Different types of audiovisual aids that convey issues related to air pollution have been produced by various institutions, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA, 2015).…”

The Role of Perceived Relevance and Attention in Teachers’ Attitude and Intention to Use Educational Video Games

“…Examples of the use of serious games include Blokify which was developed to enhanced students' competencies related to three-dimensional figures and their bidimensional representation by the standard views and perspective [19]. Other examples of serious games are ETIOBE Mates which was developed to improve children's nutritional knowledge [20] and ECOPET which was developed to educate learners to use home-energy conservatively [21]. Finally, one example of making students to build their own video games as part of their learning process is the case provided by Yang and Chang [22] where students designed digital games based on biology course content to increase retention of both course content and critical thinking skills.…”

Use of Serious Games for Coping With Childhood Obesity: Integrative Literature Review

“…Most studies used previously developed exergames and applied them to the target public in order to verify their efficacy in an educational program. 11,13,15,18,21,[23][24]26 Some researchers used well-known commercial dance games like Dance dance revolution or Just dance, 11,13,18,21,23 while other authors used commercial sports games like PlaySports, Wii sports or Kinect sports 15,24,26 as part of educational health promotion programs.…”