THE GOOD NUTRITION GAME: Extending the Good Behavior Game to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Abstract

Background: Consumption of diverse and nutritious food is challenging for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective: We created the Good Nutrition Game and implemented the intervention among students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a therapeutic after-school socialization program.

Method: We divided students into two teams in each session. The team earned one point per bite of fruit or vegetables by a teammate. The winning team congratulated each other for winning and was given the privilege to choose a small prize item as reinforcement.

Lessons learned: The approach showed promising findings to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a classroom setting. While the approach needs to be implemented with more students in a longer term trial, other challenges include objectively measuring the number of bites instead of self-report by team members and addressing different eating habits among students.