Gamification preferences in nutrition apps : Toward healthier diets and food choices

Titelangaben

Berger, Michelle ; Jung, Carolin:
Gamification preferences in nutrition apps : Toward healthier diets and food choices.
In: Digital Health. Bd. 10 (Juni 2024) .
ISSN 2055-2076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241260482

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Abstract

Malnutrition harms healthand is costly. Examples refer to obesity,heart disease, and some cancers.The use of gamification elements (GEs) in nutrition apps offers a promising approach to change nutrition habits.However, the effectiveness highly dependsonthe underlying context, the users’preferences, and other individual aspects–factors notyetconsideredin the context of healthy nutrition. We survey 308 peopleto measure their preferencesof GEs in nutrition apps. Using best-worst-scaling, we determine that GEs most favoredare goals, progressbars, and coupons.Further, a cluster analysis reveals three distinct clusters, which we describe in terms of personality and socio-demographic characteristics. Based ontheindividual factors opennessand self-perception, wefound thatmain differences exist between the preferences for leaderboardsand coupons. We contribute by shedding light on differences and similarities of GE preferences between contexts and individual factors.Findings benefit individuals, app designers, and public health institutions.