Caring for Mobile Phone-Based Virtual Pets can Influence Youth Eating Behaviors

Abstract

This study tests the effects of feedback from a virtual pet on behavior change. A randomized field experiment with 39 adolescents in the US examined how a mobile phone game influenced their likelihood to eat breakfast. Manipulations included varying positive and negative visual feedback in response to participants' photos of breakfast meals. Results indicate that participants with a virtual pet that provided both positive and negative feedback were twice as likely to eat breakfast than those with a pet that provided only positive feedback or participants in the control condition.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• experiment
• feedback
• health
• mobile phone technology
• virtual pet
• youth

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Health Games Research, a national program supported by the Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.