Light play to help parents stimulate the disliked vegetable consumption habit in kids using flavour-flavour learning plate
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Soman, Radha Manoj
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Abstract
The goal of the study is to address food neophobia leading to vegetable aversion in 2-6-year-old kids, due to lack of consistent repetitive exposure to disliked vegetables in the home setting during early childhood. Through the literature review, it was revealed that the current methods do not sufficiently address flavor adaptation and light play in a plate system and more research is needed on it. Effective habits are formed through daily exposure, not just weekly, where the most influential factor is the vegetable's flavor, which can be both liked and disliked. Incorporating light play or gamification could enhance engagement and acceptance of vegetables in children. The online survey and online interviews revealed that parents acknowledge the importance of developing vegetable consumption habits through repetitive exposure, and struggle to feed these vegetables to kids during mealtimes, on a daily basis. According to parents, utilizing technology to track preferences and adapt meal planning based on the evolving tastes of kids is essential. Also, creative, colorful presentations and self-feeding strategies can enhance vegetable interest, and emphasizing health benefits without relying on external rewards fosters genuine acceptance of vegetables. In response, this study proposes an interactive plate system “DELIGHT” that helps parents assess kid preferences and behavior patterns using light play tackling visual appeal and presentation of vegetables. The primary strengths of DELIGHT lie in its innovative approach to flavor adaptation and daily exposure, which are critical in developing a positive attitude towards vegetables. By presenting vegetables with both liked and disliked flavors, DELIGHT encourages acceptance through repeated exposure and familiarisation. The incorporation of playful and interactive elements further enhances engagement, making mealtimes more enjoyable and less monotonous for children. Parents can monitor their kid's vegetable eating behavior through consistent tracking, and improving parent and kid mealtime interaction through positive reinforcement. The 7-day observation study results of DELIGHT showed improvement in the current vegetable consumption and acceptance behavior in kids and effectively helped parents monitor the consumption pattern. DELIGHT proves to be a promising solution for bridging the gap between current vegetable consumption levels in kids and dietary recommendations. By focusing on flavor adaptation, consistent exposure, engaging presentation, and positive reinforcement, DELIGHT aligns with best practices in dietary behavior change. Future iterations, informed by user feedback and ongoing research, will continue to refine DELIGHT’s features, ensuring it remains a valuable tool for fostering healthy eating habits in children and supporting their long-term health and well-being.
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2024-09-09
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