Promoting Health Among Kids and Teens Through Gamification

The rise of digital technology among children and teenagers has led to innovative ways to promote their physical and mental health. One exciting method is gamification, which means using game-like elements in non-game settings to make activities more engaging and fun. This approach has shown promise in encouraging kids to be more active, eat healthier, and manage their emotions better.

In their study, Dr Apostolos Vantarakis and his team reviewed various research articles to understand how gamification can improve the health of children and adolescents. They found that games and apps that reward healthy behaviors can motivate young people to stay active and eat well. For example, games like Pokémon Go encourage physical activity, while cooking games can teach kids about nutrition.

However, the researchers noted that not all children have equal access to digital devices and the internet. To make these gamified health tools accessible to everyone, it’s important to design them for use on basic devices and provide internet access in community centers or schools. Teaching kids how to use these tools effectively is also crucial.

The authors conclude that while gamification shows great potential in promoting health, more research is needed to determine its long-term benefits and ensure it is accessible to all children, regardless of their background.

The iLearn4Health project aims to promote health education among young people across Europe. The findings of Dr Vantarakis and his team align well with the goals of our project. By using gamification, iLearn4Health can create engaging and interactive educational tools that encourage healthy habits in children and adolescents. This approach can make learning about health fun and accessible, helping the project reach a wider audience and have a greater impact on young people’s well-being.

You can read the entire article at this link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/2/102