2. Problem Space
Obesity is now the second largest cause of
preventable death in the United States. Our
research group recognized the significance of this
ever rising epidemic when we were asked to
address an important world problem. More
importantly, we recognized the role that childhood
obesity plays as a platform for creating and allowing
such an unhealthy overweight population to exist.
We decided that tackling the problem of childhood
obesity would do the most good for the obesity
epidemic as a whole.
3. Problem Space
o Childhood obesity has more than
tripled in the past 30 years
o In 2008 more than 1/3 of young
people were obese
o Likely to lead to
diabetes, hypertension, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and
cancer
o Childhood obesity has more than
tripled in the past 30 years
o In 2008 more than 1/3 of young
people were obese
o Likely to lead to
diabetes, hypertension, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and
cancer
Cited: Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Data and Statistics: U.S. Obesity
5. Jack & Jill Growing
Up
(Middle class American children)
http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2010/09/childhood-obesity-common-cold.jpg
6. Jack & Jill Growing Constantly
absorbed in
Up smartphone
to interact
with others
Regularly
Relentless eat
use of innutritious
videogame fatty food
s
(electronic
competition
)
http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2010/09/childhood-obesity-common-cold.jpg
9. RESEARCH
Grocery Hunter - In this article, the University of Illinois discovered an
application that can educate children on what foods are healthy. It is quite
simple. The app gives hints to the child and encourages them to find the food
item, and the app is capable of scanning the item to therefore identify whether
he/she was correct. The article concludes by stating how it’s user friendly and it
has fun and silly ways of getting kids aware of healthy foods.
Foresight: Tackling Obesities: Future Trends in technology and their
impact on obesity - In the past, technology has created an environment that
has almost encouraged obesity. Things such as
Televisions, Microwaves, Freezers, Computer Games, Cars, etc. have had a
population wide effect on our society and the way we live. Foresight Tacking
Obesities project is all about finding new technologies to create such an impact
that lifestyles are changed. One way to do this is to utilize what technology is
already in use. Some examples that were given in the article were cell
phones, the Internet, etc. Using these technologies, this group will try to reduce
the percentage of children ages 7 – 11 that are considered “obese”.
10. RESEARCH
Exergaming- Exergaming is a combination of exercising and gaming. This type
of gaming is used to help people with their health through the use of video
games. Researchers argue whether or not it is actually an adequate source for
physical activity but at the very least it does motivate less active people. One of
the biggest challenges for these games is to make them attractive to the
players. The creators have to make it easy enough to play but hard enough for
a challenge.
Video Games to Fight Obesity Article - One study looked to use video games
to combat obesity in 10 to 12 year olds. This study was unsuccessful in
combating obesity but allowed youths to increase their healthy snacking. The
games “Escape From Diab” and “Nanoswarm: Invasion From Inner Space”
were used to target fourth graders by Dr. Thomas Baranowski a professor of
pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. The results were
calculated two months after the fourth graders were allowed to play these two
games. While the students who played the game had an increase of .67
servings of fruit and vegetables per day, there was no corresponding difference
in the children's’ Body-Mass-Index.
11. RESEARCH INTERVIEWS
How did video games affect you as a
child?
Eli Funk-
“As a child video games
prevented me from getting out
of the house and getting involved
in sports.”
How did video games affect you as a
child? Any thoughts over our
application?
Jason Schechter-
“During my childhood video
games took a great amount of time
out of my day.” “I think it’s a great idea to
incorporate physical activity into a video
games.”
12. RESEARCH – CHILDHOOD OBESITY
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_childobesity_20090720.html
13. RESEARCH – ADULT DIABETES
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/DDT_STRS2/NationalDiabetesPrevalenceEstimates.aspx?mode=
15. WHAT DOES WILD CHILD DO?
• “Bump”
• Food Identification
• Avatar
• Exercise
• Friendly Competition
• Achievements and Awards
16. IN APP PREVIEW
Avatar Creation Screen
o Application uses
height, weight, and age to
create a realistic
representation of user
o Additional customization
includes hair color, eye
color, and clothing
17. IN APP PREVIEW
Food Identification
o Application uses
augmented reality to find
and recognize food items
o Displays nutrition facts on
screen to guide food
decisions
20. WORKS CITED
Eli. “Childhood Obesity.” Personal Interview. 1 Dec. 2011.
Jason. “Childhood Obesity.” Personal Interview. 1 Dec. 2011.
Jones, Barren. "Study Tries to Use Video Games to Combat Obesity - Mansfield-Storrs, CT
Patch." Mansfield-Storrs, CT Patch - News, Sports, Events, Businesses & Deals.
N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. <http://mansfield.patch.com/articles/study-tries-to-use-
video-games-to-combat-obesity>.
Kiili, Kristan, and Sari MerilampiLast. "Developing Engaging Exergames with Simple Motion
Detection." ACM. n. page. Print. <https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Team America - Group
Project/Research/[IU ACM Source] Exergames with Simple Motion
Detection.pdf?w=633cc6f3>.
Kogan, Anya, Hyungsin Kim, Chandan Dasgupta, Michael Novistky, and Ellen Do. "Grocery
Hunter: A Fun Mobile Game for Children to Combat Obesity." ACM. n. page. Print.
<https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Team America - Group Project/Research/[IU ACM
Source] Grocery Hunter.pdf?w=c12cb9dd>.
"Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Data and Statistics: U.S. Obesity Trends |
DNPAO | CDC." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec.
2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html>.
"Research confirms obesity is now leading cause of preventable death in U.S. - Denver
science news | Examiner.com." Welcome to Examiner.com | Examiner.com. N.p., n.d.
Web. 3 Dec. 2011. <http://www.examiner.com/science-news-in-denver/research-
confirms-obesity-is-now-leading-cause-of-preventable-death-u-s>.
"The Wall Street Journal Online - Childhood Obesity in the U.S.." Business News & Financial
News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2011.
<http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_childobesity_20090720.html>.
