Junk-Food Destroyer: Helping Adolescents with Down Syndrome to Understand Healthy Eating through Serious Game

One research study carried out in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) indicated that they consume fewer calories, vitamins and trace elements than they ought to according to the Recommended Daily Intake. A different study pointed out that people with Down syndrome start using computers from early childhood, displaying a liking for educational software, as well as for Video Games. In an attempt to make the most of this motivating occupation, and, at the same time, implement the positive effects resulting from playing Serious Games (SG) that promote a healthy diet to non-disabled children, I designed and developed a Serious Game of First Person Shooting (FPS) type (played either with a Wii-Remote or a mouse), which intends to help behavior change of adolescents with Down syndrome, so that they would adopt a more balanced nutrition. To avoid further low-calorie intake, the game presents only the benefits resulting from healthy food and beverage consumption compared to unhealthy ones, without mentioning quantity or caloric value.