VeggieMaths: exposing children to vegetables using arithmetic in a fun mobile application

Claire Farrow*, Lilit Hakobyan, Helen Coulthard, Emma Haycraft, Joanna Lumsden, Jason Thomas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Greater consumption of vegetables is associated with the prevention of chronic illnesses in later life, but fewer than 1 in 10 children in the UK consume the recommended amounts of vegetables. Many children will reject vegetables on sight and multiple exposures are needed to encourage children to become familiar with, taste and like them. This can be disheartening, expensive and time consuming for families. We have conducted focus groups and interviews with parents, teachers and children(N¼10) to discuss their views on integrating strategies to support vegetable intake within an educational platform. The findings suggest that parents would welcome such a resource, particularly one that is advertisement free, visually and auditorily engaging and based around the national curriculum. Based on this knowledge we are developing a free mobile application called ‘VeggieMaths’. Parents, teachers and childcare staff will be able to use this app to increase children’s familiarity with vegetables whilst at the same time supporting their arithmetical skills. The app draws on psychological research to integrate different methods which have been shown to increase interest in vegetables, and eagerness to try them (e.g., exposure, rewards and social norms). The app combines visual exposure to vegetables with maths-tasks; making it a potentially useful tool for parents and educators wanting to support children with healthy eating and maths. Funding: The development of VeggieMaths is funded by the British Psychological Society as part of a Public Engagement Grant to support public engagement with Psychology. VeggieMaths will be free from marketing and the authors make no financial gain from the product.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)304
Number of pages1
JournalAppetite
Volume130
Early online date28 Sept 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event42nd Anniversary Meeting of the British Feeding and Drinking Group - Institut Paul Bocuse, Ecully-Lyon, France
Duration: 12 Apr 201813 Apr 2018
https://www.e3sensory.eu/the-42th-anniversary-meeting-of-the-british-feeding-and-drinking-group/ (Link to conference website)

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