بيتا فراهاني

One of the common challenges during childhood is picky eating an‎d food refusal, particularly in children under the age of seven an‎d prior to entering school. This issue may lead to negative consequences, including physical an‎d psychological harm, as well as the development of unhealthy eating habits. Additionally, it can cause stress an‎d concern for parents an‎d create tension between parents an‎d children. The present study aims to design an interactive, play-based device to encourage eating among children aged 2 to 6, using an emotional design approach to address this challenge. This research is developmental in nature an‎d employs a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach. In the library studies, numerous national an‎d international articles were reviewed using reputable databases such as PubMed. In the field studies, three children were selec‎ted as case studies an‎d observed an‎d eva‎luated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in child development an‎d nutrition, as well as with mothers. Additionally, a questionnaire adapted from two validated instruments related to children’s eating behavior (CEBQ an‎d CEBI), an‎d aligned with the objectives of the study, was utilized. Analysis of the collected data identified key needs, problems, an‎d influencing factors in this area. Based on the findings, an‎d with emphasis on emotional factors, play, interaction, safety, an‎d ergonomics, several design concepts were developed. These concepts were eva‎luated an‎d refined through usability testing an‎d a user-centered design (UCD) process. The final product was fabricated using a 3D printer an‎d eva‎luated by the three participating children. The results indicate that the use of an interactive, play-based device can increase children’s willingness to eat an‎d improve the feeding experience for both children an‎d parents. Future research may enhance the accuracy of findings by narrowing age ranges an‎d increasing the sample size.

بدغذايي كودكان , طراحي احساس‌گرا , طراحي تعاملي , بازي‌محور , تغذيه كودك , سلامت و بهداشت كودك

childrenʹs eating disorder , emotional design , interactive design , gamification , child nutrition , child health an‎d hygiene

Bita Farahani

DR Seyed Hashem Mosaddad