Virtual Avatar Coaching With Community Context for Adult-Child Dyads with Low Income

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.

Keywords: avatar; child; food environment; low-income; parent; virtual reality.