BACKGROUND
Computer games can increase children’s interest in learning, and then improve their nutritional knowledge, and their dietary intake behavior.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness of computer games on preschool children's nutrition knowledge and junk food intake behavior. This study was a cross-sectional study.
METHODS
We recruited 104 preschool children age 5-6 years from preschools and randomly assign to experiment group (n=56) and control group (n=48). The researchers used Construct 2 to design and produce the "Healthy Rat King" computer game as a nutrition education tool for children. The computer game courses intervention was one hour per week for four consecutive weeks in experiment group, and the control group did not received computer game intervention.
RESULTS
The results showed that the nutrition knowledge score of children in experiment group were significant higher than the control group after four weeks of computer game course intervention, and the frequency of chocolate, candies, and ice cream intake was significantly reduced in experiment group after four weeks of computer game intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
computer game teaching suggested that improved children’s nutrition knowledge and decreased the frequency of junk food intake.
Pattern of access determines influence of junk food diet on cue sensitivity and palatability
