Children’s experience of using a smartphone application to promote healthy eating behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Rageliene ◽  
A Grønhøj
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Psychosocial Burden ◽  
Balanced Diet

Abstract Background Childhood obesity continues to grow in industrialized and developing countries becoming one of the major public health crises worldwide. This, in turn, causes short and long term financial and psychosocial burden to individuals and society. However, obesity can be prevented and reversed by changing one's diet. Previous studies showed that children who have a balanced diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables are less likely to be overweight and obese. Smartphone apps could be a useful tool for encouraging healthy eating behaviour and hinder obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate children's experience of using a smartphone app designed to encourage healthy eating among 9-13 years old children. Methods According to dietary recommendations a smartphone app “Food Boss” was developed. The app consists of several different parts designed to promote healthy eating habits and knowledge about a balanced diet. A food diary, games, and the possibility to interact with peers were included. Children were asked to test the app for 2 weeks. Afterwards, two gender-specific focus groups were conducted. Results Children found the app easy to use and expressed a positive attitude to the user interface design. The app was perceived as being useful for learning about healthy eating and remember to eat more fruits and vegetables. User's engagement, interest and general satisfaction of using the app varied among the children, boys being more positive about their experience than girls. Though children asserted using the app in the future and recommending it to their friends. Suggestions for further app improvement was also disclosed. Conclusions Children's overall experience of using the app was overall positive and they found it useful for learning about healthy eating. Key messages Childhood obesity can be prevented and reversed by changing one’s diet. The “Food Boss” app can be an attractive way of reaching children and useful in encouraging healthy eating among children. Children’s overall experience of using the app was overall positive and they found it useful for learning about healthy eating.

School-aged children and adolescents

2020 ◽  
pp. 303-320
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
P Nutrition ◽  
School Aged Children

Nutrition and growth, Dietary recommendations, food habits, deficiencies, Childhood obesity, Dental, Influences, Promoting healthy eating

scholarly journals The proof is in the eating: subjective peer norms are associated with adolescents’ eating behaviour

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1044-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Marijn Stok ◽  
Emely de Vet ◽  
John BF de Wit ◽  
Aleksandra Luszczynska ◽  
Magdalena Safron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
International Survey ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Peer Norms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Important Target ◽  
Unhealthy Eating

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate associations of self-perceived eating-related peer norms (called ‘subjective peer norms’) with adolescents’ healthy eating intentions and intake of healthy and unhealthy food.DesignCross-sectional data were collected in a large international survey.SettingTwo types of subjective peer norms were assessed: perceived peer encouragement of healthy eating and perceived peer discouragement of unhealthy eating. Outcome variables were healthy eating intentions, intake of healthy food (fruits and vegetables) and intake of unhealthy food (snacks and soft drinks).SubjectsOver 2500 European (pre-)adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years participated.ResultsSubjective peer norms were associated with all three outcome variables. While both perceived encouragement of healthy eating and perceived discouragement of unhealthy eating were related to intentions, only peer encouragement of healthy eating was related to intakes of both healthy and unhealthy food.ConclusionsSubjective peer norms play a role in adolescent eating behaviour and as such are an important target for health promotion. Addressing norms that encourage healthy eating may be more promising in changing behaviour than norms that discourage unhealthy eating.

scholarly journals Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

Building Evidence to Prevent Childhood Obesity: Lessons from the Portland Healthy Eating Active Living (Heal) Coalition

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Everett ◽  
Angie Mejia ◽  
Olivia Quiroz
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Active Living ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
The Impact

The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Coalition is a community-based health promotion program begun in 2006 in North Portland's Portsmouth neighborhood. The program seeks to promote community health and prevent childhood obesity by addressing barriers at local, regional and policy levels, with particular attention to the built environment. This article describes the findings of a program evaluation based on interviews with school staff and Latino parents. Important themes include the impact of the closure of a neighborhood school, access to grocery stores with affordable healthy foods, and concern about school meals. The comprehensive approach of programs like HEAL, which uses the socio-ecological model of health promotion, lends itself well to the participation of applied social scientists.

scholarly journals Recall of government healthy eating campaigns by consumers in five countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Samantha Goodman ◽  
Gabriela Armendariz ◽  
Adele Corkum ◽  
Laura Arellano ◽  
Alejandra Jáuregui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Policy Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
Income Adequacy ◽  
Low Education

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine awareness and recall of healthy eating public education campaigns in five countries. Design: Data were cross-sectional and collected as part of the 2018 International Food Policy Study. Respondents were asked whether they had seen government healthy eating campaigns in the past year; if yes (awareness), they were asked to describe the campaign. Open-ended descriptions were coded to indicate recall of specific campaigns. Logistic models regressed awareness of healthy eating campaigns on participant country, age, sex, ethnicity, education, income adequacy and BMI. Analyses were also stratified by country. Setting: Online surveys. Participants: Participants were Nielsen panelists aged ≥18 years in Australia, Canada, Mexico, UK and US (n=22,463). Results: Odds of campaign awareness were higher in Mexico (50.9%) than UK (18.2%), Australia (17.9%), US (13.0%) and Canada (10.2%) (P<0.001). Awareness was also higher in UK and Australia versus Canada and US, and US versus Canada (P<0.001). Overall, awareness was higher among males versus females and respondents with medium or high versus low education (P<0.001 for all). Similar results were found in stratified models, although no sex difference was observed in Australia or UK (P>0.05), and age was associated with campaign awareness in UK (P<0.001). Common key words in all countries included sugar/sugary drinks, fruits and vegetables, and physical activity. The top five campaigns recalled were Chécate, mídete, muévete (Mexico), PrevenIMSS (Mexico), Change4Life (UK), LiveLighter® (Australia), and Actívate, Vive Mejor (Mexico). Conclusions: In Mexico, UK and Australia, comprehensive campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles appear to have achieved broad, population-level reach.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Workplace Wellness Program on Provider Health in Early Childhood Education Settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie N. Powers ◽  
Charlotte V. Farewell ◽  
Emily Maiurro ◽  
Jini Puma
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Workplace Wellness ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Childhood Education

Background: Early childhood education (ECE) working environments often contribute to poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe healthy eating–related and physical activity–related awareness and adoption of behavior change of ECE providers after participating in a workplace wellness (WW) program and to explore facilitators and barriers to ECE provider participation in WW program. Methods: The WW program offered healthy eating and physical activity challenges to promote ECE provider health and well-being. Approximately 1,000 ECE providers in Colorado from 35 ECE settings were invited to participate. After the intervention, ECE providers completed two surveys: (a) a provider postsurvey and (b) a WW challenge survey. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to examine factors associated with percent agreement that participation in the WW program increased awareness and adoption of health behaviors. Findings: A total of 250 (25%) ECE providers participated in WW program from 2015 to 2017. After participation, approximately 84% of respondents agreed they were more aware of the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and of being physically active, while 81% reported eating more fruits and vegetables, and 80% reported being more physically active in the workplace. Logistic regression models found that the length of time teaching in ECE settings was positively and significantly associated (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.00, 1.21]) with the odds of providers agreeing that participation in the WW program increased their awareness of health behaviors. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The design and implementation of WW programs that emphasize facilitators, such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as reduce barriers, such as time constraints and unachievable goal setting, may increase the awareness and adoptions of healthy eating–related and physical activity–related behaviors among ECE work settings.

scholarly journals Development of Smartphone Application Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour to Enhance Self-Efficacy for Online Learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chattavut Peechapol ◽  
Jaitip Na-Songkhla ◽  
Siridej Sujiva ◽  
Arthorn Luangsodsai
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Experimental Group

This study was conducted to develop a smartphone application to enhance self-efficacy for online learning. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used as a framework for developing the smartphone app. The study used research and design (R&amp;D) through three phases: 1)<strong> </strong>examining relevant literature and interviewing recognized experts in the field, 2) developing the smartphone app, and 3) studying the effect of the smartphone app on the self-efficacy of online learners. The results demonstrated that the framework of the smartphone application based on the TPB comprised six components. They were 1) the TPB’s concept for online learning, 2) instructional process, 3) instructional support tools, 4) application features, 5) instructor’s role, and 6) learner’s role. For technical aspects, the smartphone app was developed and deployed by using Amazon Web Service (AWS) cloud computing platform and infrastructure. Studying the effect of the application on self-efficacy was performed for four weeks using two groups in a pre-test/post-test design. The research method involved purposive sampling of 180 undergraduate students, consisting of a 90-student experimental group and a 90-student control group. The application based on the TPB and the application without the TPB were implemented in the experimental group and the control group, respectively. The results demonstrated that the post-test score of self-efficacy in online learning for the experimental group was statistically significantly higher than the control group at 0.05 level. This result showed that the smartphone app based on the TPB could significantly affect self-efficacy for online learners; it has the potential to be an effective tool for teaching an online course.

Food Consumption Patterns: In Preschool Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Pabayo ◽  
John C. Spence ◽  
Linda Casey ◽  
Kate Storey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Grain Products

Purpose: Healthy eating during early childhood is important for growth and development. Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (CFG) provides dietary recommendations. We investigated patterns of food consumption among preschool children and attempted to determine whether these children's intakes met nutrition recommendations. Methods: Between 2005 and 2007, four- and five-year-old children (n=2015) attending 12 Edmonton-region public health units for immunization were recruited for a longitudinal study on determinants of childhood obesity. The children's dietary intake at baseline was assessed using parental reports. Results: Overall, 29.6%, 23.5%, 90.9%, and 94.2% of the children met recommendations for vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives, respectively. In addition, 79.5% consumed at least one weekly serving of foods in the “choose least often” group. Significant differences existed in consumption of food groups across socioeconomic and demographic groups. For example, 82.9%, 84.7%, and 75.9% of preschool children from neighbourhoods of low, medium, and high socioeconomic status, respectively, consumed at least one food in the “choose least often” group (χ2 =16.2, p<0.001). Conclusions: Consumption of vegetables and fruit and grain products was low among participants, and intake of “choose least often” foods was high. Consumption of foods also differed among socioeconomic and demographic groups. To encourage healthy eating among children, public health professionals should target groups who do not meet the CFG recommendations.

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