Primeiras Refeições: Serious Game to Improve Infant Feeding Knowledge

Abstract

To address public health concerns surrounding infant nutrition misinformation, this study described the development of the serious game “Primeiras Refeições” and evaluated its effectiveness in improving knowledge on the topic among university students. A quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test study was conducted with 119 undergraduate students from diverse academic fields at a Brazilian university. Participants’ knowledge was assessed via a 10-item questionnaire before and after an intervention with the 2D simulation game, developed in the Unity engine. A paired t-test revealed a statistically significant knowledge increase, with mean scores rising from 4.65 (±2.01) to 5.20 (±1.89) post-intervention (p < 0.01). The study's primary contribution is its focus on university students, future professionals, and caregivers, a demographic rarely targeted by nutrition games, which typically focus on children. Furthermore, the game’s mechanics are novel, addressing practical skills like preparing age-appropriate food consistencies, a topic often neglected in similar digital interventions. The findings indicate that “Primeiras Refeições” is a promising educational tool to improve guidance on accurate infant nutrition, holding significant potential for public health education.