Date: Sep 24, 2006 Source: NIH Success Stories (
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Technology Developed:
Computer games "Escape from Diab" and "Nanoswarm: Invasion from Inner Space" are designed to modify children's behavior regarding diet and exercise. The goal is preventing childhood obesity and, ultimately, type 2 diabetes. In both games, players must set and achieve diet and exercise goals to win.
Uses of Technology/Products/Service:
Videogames challenge players to effectively use learned information, thus providing an important education and training modality. This has given rise to the emerging genre of "serious" videogames that employ the medium's rich, role-playing, story-based environments to teach, train and change knowledge, attitudes, and even behaviors. "Diab" and "Nanoswarm" employ traditional video games' rich immersive capabilities to deliver positive messages through compelling situations. Players participate as characters in a story to learn through actual experience. Game design uses evidenced-based behavior modification algorithms based on tailoring, self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation. Decision-making, goal setting, and problem-solving activities occur within interactive computer environments thematically themed to storylines.
