title: Training Vegetable Parenting Practices Through a Mobile Game: Iterative Qualitative Alpha Test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vegetable consumption protects against chronic diseases, but many young children do not eat vegetables. One quest within the mobile application Mommio was developed to train mothers of preschoolers in effective vegetable parenting practices, or ways to approach getting their child to eat and enjoy vegetables. A much earlier version of the game, then called Kiddio, was alpha tested previously, but the game has since evolved in key ways.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research was to alpha test the first quest, substantiate earlier findings and obtain feedback on new game features to develop an effective, compelling parenting game.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers of preschool children (n=20) played a single quest of Mommio 2 to 4 times, immediately after which a semi-structured interview about their experience was completed. Interviews were transcribed and double coded using thematic analysis methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mothers generally liked the game, finding it realistic and engaging. Some participants had difficulties with mechanics for moving around the 3-D environment. Tips and hints were well received, and further expansion and customization were desired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Earlier findings were supported, though Mommio players reported more enjoyment than Kiddio players. Continued development will include more user-friendly mechanics, customization, opportunities for environment interaction, and food parenting scenarios.
authors.affiliation: Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States. lbrand@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7465-0642
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3888-7500
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beltran
authors.forename: Richard
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3325-8641
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buday
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0331-2494
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Teresia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3231-8481
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Janice
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0717-0056
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baranowski
authors.forename: Hafza R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4571-4675
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Dadabhoy
authors.forename: Cassandra S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-6171
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Diep
authors.forename: Tom
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0653-2222
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baranowski
keywords: games for health; mobile games; parenting; pediatric nutrition; serious games