Gamification for the Improvement of Diet, Nutritional Habits, and Body Composition in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Currently, one of the main public health problems among children and adolescents is poor adherence to healthy habits, leading to increasingly high rates of obesity and the comorbidities that accompany obesity. Early interventions are necessary, and among them, the use of gamification can be an effective method. The objective was to analyse the effect of game-based interventions (gamification) for improving nutritional habits, knowledge, and changes in body composition. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, and Scopus databases, following the PRISMA recommendations. There was no restriction by year of publication or language. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Twenty-three articles were found. After the intervention, the consumption of fruit and vegetables increased, as well as the knowledge on healthy food groups. The means difference showed a higher nutritional knowledge score in the intervention group 95% CI 0.88 (0.05–1.75). No significant effect of gamification was found for body mass index z-score. Gamification could be an effective method to improve nutritional knowledge about healthier nutritional habits. Promoting the development of effective educational tools to support learning related to nutrition is necessary in order to avoid and prevent chronic diseases.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence–Based Conversational Agents (Chatbots) for Weight Loss: Scoping Review and Practical Recommendations

“…However, studies have shown that such gamification features do not result in significantly different amounts of weight loss at 3, 6, 9, or 12 months between adults who do and do not undergo such programs [ 52 , 53 ]. Similarly, a meta-analysis reported that gamification did not result in significant weight loss differences between children and adolescents who did and did not undergo gamification for weight loss, although those in the former group were found to have improved nutritional knowledge scores [ 54 ]. This suggests that although gamification may improve weight loss knowledge, user engagement, and intention toward health behavior change, it is insufficient to impact any actual weight loss.…”

Do Children and Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity Adhere to the National Food-Based Dietary Guidelines in Greece?

“…This highlights the necessity of adopting policies and programs to promote healthy eating at school, which, according to FAO, is an essential element to foster healthy diets at school and has been previously shown to combat unhealthy food consumption [ 30 , 31 ]. In addition, previous studies suggested that healthy diets could be promoted through communication channels that are appealing to children and adolescents (e.g., social media and gamification), in order to reach broader population groups, and especially those who live with overweight and obesity [ 32 ]. For example, a recent systematic literature review and meta-analysis by Suleiman-Martos showed that gamification could be an effective method to improve knowledge of healthier nutritional habits in children and adolescents [ 32 ].…”

“…In addition, previous studies suggested that healthy diets could be promoted through communication channels that are appealing to children and adolescents (e.g., social media and gamification), in order to reach broader population groups, and especially those who live with overweight and obesity [ 32 ]. For example, a recent systematic literature review and meta-analysis by Suleiman-Martos showed that gamification could be an effective method to improve knowledge of healthier nutritional habits in children and adolescents [ 32 ]. Moreover, the systematic literature review by Chau et al suggested that social media is a promising feature for nutrition interventions in adolescents [ 33 ].…”

Combatting Sedentary Behaviors by Delivering Remote Physical Exercise in Children and Adolescents with Obesity in the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review

“…Some authors have suggested that, in children and adolescents, the use of video game elements in the home environment contributes to improving the BMI and body weight [128], dietary behavior and nutritional knowledge [129], level of PA, daily caloric expenditure, self-esteem, interactions, and social support [130]. The using of tele-exercise and exergames spread ahead the COVID-19 outbreak, especially among children with pathologies such as cerebral palsy, bone cancer, and cystic fibrosis.…”