Video game promotes healthy eating and active living with children

Evidence demonstrates that reaching young people and helping them understand what's healthy in terms of nutrition, activity and habits can change the course of their behavior for a lifetime. The objective of this session is to highlight interactive, online youth-focused games that educate and motivate children to engage in healthier eating habits and exercise; and that raise awareness in a fun, innovative way to create an effective learning environment. This session features Kaiser Permanente's “The Amazing Food Detective,” available to everyone at www.kp.org/amazingfooddetective. It complements Kaiser Permanente's nationally recognized childhood obesity clinical strategy. The site launched in September 2007 and was also distributed in partnership with Scholastic, Inc. to 5,000 schools in Kaiser Permanente's regions. For schools, online features are augmented by lesson plans, a family-take home activity workbook and other educational materials. Stand-alone online play is “more than a video game.” It includes kid-friendly, healthy recipes compiled by a Kaiser Permanente physician; scavenger hunts to teach kids how to interpret food labels; experiments to teach kids how to measure sugar in their soda drinks; muscle-building exercises; physical activity charts and activities for parents and children to encourage healthy eating habits. The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective builds on Kaiser Permanente's community benefit efforts to teach the importance of healthy eating and active living during kids' formative years, helping them understand and make healthy choices throughout their lifetime.