The objective of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational computer game, Creature 101, based on the Choice, Control, & Change curriculum. In the game, designed for children aged 9-12, students care for the health of creatures and along the way learn why healthful dietary and activity choices are important. Students also learn how to incorporate healthful choices into their lives, while setting and tracking personal food and physical activity behavior change goals. The behavioral and potential influences are the same as for The Creature 101 game was evaluated in middle schools in Manhattan and Brooklyn and was shown to be effective at significantly reducing frequency and quantity of sweetened beverage intake and frequency (and some size) of processed packaged snack intake. Students had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to the control group which did not initially play the game.

Related Publications:

Majumdar D, Koch P, Gray LH, Contento IR, Islas A, Fu D. Nutrition Science and Behavioral Theories Integrated in a Serious Game for Adolescents. Simulation & Gaming. 2015;46(1):68–97. 

Majumdar D, Koch P, Lee H, Contento IR, Islas A, Fu D. ‘‘Creature-101’’: A Serious Game to Promote Energy Balance-Related Behaviors Among Middle School Adolescents. Games for Health Journal. 2013;2(5):280-290.

Related Abstracts:

Majumdar D, Koch P, Lee H, Contento IR, Islas A, Fu D. Creature 101: A Virtual Reality Online Game to Promote Energy Balance Related Behaviors Among Middle- Schoolers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2013;45(4 Supplement): S9.

Majumdar D, Koch P, Lee H, Contento IR, Islas A, Fu D. “Creature-101”: Using a virtual reality, serious game to promote healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among middle school students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2012;44(4 Supplement):S38.

Koch P, Islas A, Lee H, Majumdar D, Contento IR, Earl C, Fu D, Hoffman E. Development of LiFESim: A Social Networking Game to Teach Middle School Students Why and How to Make Healthful Food and Activity Choices. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2010;42(4 Supplement):S83.

_{This study was funded by a NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant and was completed in partnership with Stottler Henke Inc.}