Author(s): Duarte, Verónica ; Félix, Maria João ; Borges, Miguel de Aboim ; Viegas, Cláudia
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/44704
Origin: RIA - Repositório Institucional da Universidade de Aveiro
Subject(s): Participatory design; Food literacy; Gamification; Analogue game; Children
In a post-growth economy, it is important to consider the qualitative characterisation of people’s well-being, considering food as a basic need. Inadequate eating habits can have negative health consequences. The presented study aims to demonstrate how participatory design based on gamification, can transfer knowledge about food literacy in children. The methods used are based on the mapping of interdisciplinary knowledge (design and nutrition); in the construction of a physical model with gamified activities; and in the application of methods inherent to the participatory design methodology. Namely, participant observation during testing of the physical model and the application of a questionnaire, with non-probabilistic convenience sampling, which generated qualitative and quantitative data, which were analysed in a descriptive way. The effective contribution of this study lies in demonstrating how participatory design can maximise children’s involvement while increasing their interest in food literacy, as well as deepening reflection on the requirements inherent to the development of educational games. The expected results focus on the need to carry out more applied research that relates to design and nutrition, in order to promote healthy and sustainable eating.
