ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Examine the appeal of a virtual avatar-led nutrition education program among youth-serving community partners in North Carolina. METHODS: We surveyed community partners using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory constructs of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Logistic regression evaluated the appeal and likelihood of the program's future use. RESULTS: Community partners (n = 100) agreed that the program was an innovative (87%) and convenient (85%) way for youth and parents to learn about nutrition. Partners who perceived the program as a relative advantage to current programs had significantly higher odds of future use intention (P = 0.005). Those who found it compatible with organizational and personal values had significantly higher odds of future use (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A nutrition education virtual avatar program is of interest to youth-engaged community partners. Future research examining the potential integration of this type of program within community organizations is warranted.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Examine the acceptability of an evidence-based, contextually tailored, virtual avatar coaching approach for nutrition education among adult-child dyads with low income. DESIGN: Structured observations and semistructured interviews. SETTING: Low-income communities in 2 midsized urban areas. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen African American adult and child (aged 5-10 years old) dyads recruited from community agencies. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Structured observation during the use of the virtual avatar coaching program and qualitative feedback on program experience after using the program. ANALYSIS: Transcripts were independently coded by 2 trained coders. Content analysis was conducted to determine trends and patterns in responses, and salient quotes were extracted from the manuscripts. RESULTS: The program generated dialogue between the children and adults around preferences and dietary habits. Adults and children described the program as being helpful, informative, motivational, and fun. Adults and children liked that the avatar acknowledged them at a personal level, provided accountability, and was tailored to them and their environment. Children wanted the ability to customize the avatar, more gamification, and avatar demonstration of healthy behaviors. Children felt the program would improve their health behaviors and were interested in using it again. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study highlights information that can be used to improve avatar-based programs for nutrition education with children and their adult caregivers who have low income. Future work should assess the impact of user customization experience, program impact on dietary behaviors, and resources required to scale and maintain the program with community agencies.
