Computer Based Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth

Increasing numbers of minority youth are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) because
of family history and overweight. While precise incidence and prevalence rates for T2D among
children are not available, the prevalence has increased substantially in the last ten years,
likely due to parallel increases in obesity among children. These cases are expected to
progress to end organ damage at an early age, with the resultant increased personal and
societal costs. Probable risk factors for T2DM include ethnicity (African American, Hispanic,
Native American), family history of diabetes, and obesity. Prevention is key to reducing
risks for T2D. The only modifiable risk factor is weight, which reflects dietary and physical
activity practices. A diet high in fruit and vegetables, and appropriate in total calories
and low in dietary fat are likely protective against both obesity and T2D. Although national
data suggest the percentage of kilocalories (kcal) from fat consumed by children aged 2-17
decreased between 1989 and 1995 (now at 33% of total kcal), actual fat intakes did not
decrease. Kcal intake, however, increased. Children's current intake of fruit and vegetables
is less than one-half of the 5-A-Day goal. Changing the diet and physical activity practices
to impact adiposity among children 10 to 12 years old before the onset of obesity or early in
obesity holds great promise of preventing T2D. Furthermore, it is approximately this age that
children assume more responsibility for their diet and physical activity, and thereby the
intervention can be expected to have a greater impact on behavior. Children at the 50%tile or
higher BMI are those most likely to progress to obesity, and thereby provide an important
target group for obesity prevention.

Video games focused on promoting T2D-related changes in diet and physical activity, based on
the most current theories of health behavior, hold the promise of preventing T2D among
children, and thereby reducing lifelong disease burden. Unlike traditional media-based
interventions (print, graphic, audio/visual, television broadcast), computer technology
provides opportunities to influence behavior change through direct, personalized interactive
experiences.

As part of a SBIR-Phase I, we created two video games: Escape from Diab! and Nanoswarm -
Invasion from Inner Space. These intervention video games propose to increase fruit and
vegetable intake to reduce total calories by displacing high fat, high calorie foods;
increase water intake to decrease sweetened beverage consumption and total calories; increase
physical activity; and decrease inactivity (e.g., TV watching, playing commercial video
games). The behavioral and educational objectives address national behavior change
objectives, including:

- Three to five servings of fruit (F) or 100% fruit juice (J) per day and Four to seven
servings of vegetables (V) per day (based on child recommended calorie intake for age
and weight),

- Five to eight glasses of water (W) per day,

- Moderate to vigorous Physical Activity (PA) of at least 60 min/day, and

- Physical Inactivity (PI) (TV, e-games, telephone) of no more than 2 hours per day.

Both games use an adventure storyline to capture the children's interest and attention, and
thereby enhance their desire to keep coming back to the game across multiple sessions
(between which behavior change goals are attempted). The storylines provide messages that
reinforce the diet and physical activity change objectives. Seamlessly woven into each
adventure session are programmed procedures for promoting behavior change (goal setting, goal
review), which were tailored to characteristics of the child obtained through self report.
Behavior change knowledge games, seamlessly woven into the storyline, are used to provide the
basis for effective goal setting; and energy balance games, also seamlessly woven into the
storyline, are used to provide the knowledge necessary to effectively self control caloric
intake and output.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy 10-12 year old African-American, Hispanic-American, Anglo or Asian children.

2. Able to fluently speak, read and write English.

3. Able to play computer video games.

4. DSL or high-speed internet connection at home.

5. No dietary restrictions that limit their intake of fruit & vegetables or water.

6. No medical, physical handicaps or other reasons that would limit their physical
activity.

7. Greater than 50% BMI, but less than 95% BMI.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children who are not in the target age range of 10-12 years old.

2. Not able to fluently speak, read and write English.

3. Not able to play computer video games.

4. No DSL or high-speed internet connection at home.

5. Dietary restrictions that limit their intake of fruit & vegetables or water.

6. Medical, physical handicaps or other reasons that would limit their physical activity.

7. Less than 50% BMI or greater than 95% BMI.

8. History of epileptic seizures.