Interactive Tools to Enhance Nutritional Knowledge and Healthy Behavior Among Adolescents for Obesity Prevention

Authors

  • Rahmi Pramulia Fitri, M.Kes Faculty of Health Sciences and Informatics, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8863-3469
  • Dr. Dona Martilova, M.Kes Faculty of Health Sciences and Informatics, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9321-9341
  • Linda Suryani, M.Keb Faculty of Midwifery, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8958-6440
  • Dr. Deswinda Faculty of Nursing, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9529-4595
  • Iyang Maisi Fitriani, M.Kom Faculty of Health Sciences and Informatics, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau
  • Veni Dayu Putri, M.Si Faculty of Nursing, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau
  • Rahmat Saputra, M.Epid Faculty of Health Sciences and Informatics, Institut Kesehatan Payung Negeri Pekanbaru, Pekanbaru, Riau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v11.647

Keywords:

adolescents, education tools, interactive educational games, , intervention, nutrition, obesity, type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined the effectiveness of an interactive digital educational game to improve adolescents’ nutritional knowledge, attitudes toward physical activity, eating behavior, and body mass index (BMI) as part of obesity prevention efforts.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group was conducted among 120 high school students in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 60), which received a 6-week intervention using the “Ayo Makan Sehat dan Aktif” educational game, and a control group (n = 60) receiving no intervention.
Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Statistical analyses included paired and independent t-tests as well as non-parametric equivalents where appropriate. The study was granted an exemption from ethics review by Research Institute of the Payung Negeri Health Institute, Indonesia (Reference No. 089/IKES PN/KEPK/III/2025). IRB certificate available upon request from author.
Results: There was a significant improvement in nutritional knowledge (65–82, p < 0.001) and attitudes toward physical activity (70–85, p < 0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Eating behavior also improved significantly, as indicated by an increase in healthy food consumption frequency (3–5 times/week, p < 0.05). Furthermore, BMI decreased significantly in the experimental group (27.56–26.64; mean change [Δ, posttest minus pretest] = –0.91, p < 0.001), while the control group showed only a minimal change. Between-group comparison confirmed that the reduction in BMI was significantly greater in the intervention group (p < 0.001).
In the experimental group:
• Eating behavior improved significantly,
• BMI decreased significantly, while
• the control group showed minimal change.
Conclusion: The interactive educational game was effective in improving adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and eating behavior and contributed to a modest but significant reduction in BMI. These findings highlight the potential of digital health education tools as an innovative and scalable strategy for adolescent obesity prevention.

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Published

2026-11-09

How to Cite

Fitri, M.Kes, R. P., Martilova, M.Kes, D. D., Suryani, M.Keb, L., Deswinda, D., Fitriani, M.Kom, I. M., Putri, M.Si, V. D., & Saputra, M.Epid, R. (2026). Interactive Tools to Enhance Nutritional Knowledge and Healthy Behavior Among Adolescents for Obesity Prevention. Telehealth and Medicine Today, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v11.647

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2026): Telehealth and Medicine Today

Section

Original Clinical Research

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Copyright (c) 2026 rahmi pramulia fitri

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