Premium
Implications of virtual reality technology in nutrition intervention (811.28)
Author(s) -
Meng Yu,
Wong Siew Sun
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.811.28
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , promotion (chess) , weight management , virtual reality , health promotion , randomized controlled trial , population , psychology , applied psychology , medicine , weight loss , obesity , medical education , gerontology , computer science , public health , environmental health , nursing , human–computer interaction , surgery , politics , political science , law
This era is rich in digital information. Health‐related communications and information acquisition among the younger generation increasingly involve social media, mobile technology, intelligent sensing, and immersive technology. Community‐based interventions are also exploring the use of technology. Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used in social and behavioral research in many domains. It showed potentials in supporting positive behavioral changes. This article reviews 5 published literatures featuring nutrition education interventions in VR to promote healthy eating among adults and youth. Despite limited interventions, some showed positive outcomes. In 2 of the studies, VR‐enhanced devices were effective in improving adult participants’ adherence to weight loss behaviors, and decreased social bias in self‐reporting diet records. However, the effectiveness of VR in 1 of weight management studies was inconsistent probably due to lack of supporting theories, less well‐constructed study designs, and/or negative aspects, such as motion sickness, in virtual learning environments. In addition to health promotion, weight management, and weight loss, research is needed to evaluate VR effectiveness in obesity prevention. It is recommended that future trials use randomized control trials with larger sample population over a longer period of intervention. Grant Funding Source : PacificSource Healthcare