Funding
Grocery Hunt was developed by Clinical Tools, Inc (CTI) with funding from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Grant #4R44DK108608-02). We gratefully acknowledge this support, which was the sole funding source for this project’s development.
Purpose
Approximately 42.4% of American adults are considered obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30), and nearly 1/3 are overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9). Obesity increases the risk of a number of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer and is associated with disability and premature death. The population needs to address their food choices and create lifestyle change in order to reverse the trends of obesity.
Impact
Grocery Hunt utilizes the psychological theory of inhibitory control, which involves engaging one’s higher order thinking or executive control. In higher order thinking, the individual uses working memory in decision-making, rather than relying on just conditioning. We theorize that playing Grocery Hunt may contribute to more conscious food choices through the repeated experience of deliberate, information-based choice making in the context of an engaging game.
No Industry Support
All materials on this website were developed in an industry-fund-free environment. No industry funding was used to create this website or the simulation experience.
Dissemination
Clinical Tools, and its gaming division Health Impact Studio, strives to share knowledge gained through the testing and use of its products. You can see our latest conference presentations, as well as our published research articles, at the Health Impact Studio site.
Future Plans
We will continue to research the best approaches to utilizing game-based learning to teach about proper nutritional choices and ways in which serious games can play a part in addressing the obesity epidemic. We envision that GroceryHunt and similar games can play a large part in this process by leading to consumers making more conscious food choices through repeated game-play.
Health Impact Studio
Bradley Tanner, MD, ME
Studio Head, Health Impact Studio
Bradley Tanner, MD, ME is a psychiatrist and Studio Head of Health Impact Studio. In this role, he guides the development and evaluation of novel technological solutions to address health challenges including burnout, stress, and depression seen in medical students, residents, and practicing physicians in their early and later careers.
