THE GOOD NUTRITION GAME: Extending the Good Behavior Game to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Behavioral Interventions
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face challenges in consuming a diverse and nutritious diet.
• Dietary selectivity is a common characteristic in ASD, impacting overall health and development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the "Good Nutrition Game" in enhancing fruit and vegetable consumption among students diagnosed with ASD.
• To implement a novel intervention within a therapeutic after-school socialization program.

Main Methods:

• Students diagnosed with ASD were divided into two teams during each session.
• Points were awarded for each bite of fruit or vegetables consumed by team members.
• The winning team received a small prize as positive reinforcement.

Main Results:

• The intervention demonstrated promising results in increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• The gamified approach positively influenced eating behaviors in a classroom setting.

Conclusions:

• The "Good Nutrition Game" is a viable strategy for improving dietary habits in children with ASD.
• Future research should involve larger sample sizes, longer trial durations, and objective measurement tools to validate findings.
• Addressing individual eating habits and ensuring accurate consumption tracking are key considerations for broader implementation.