Effects of Varying Avatar Sizes on Food Choices in Virtual Environments

Teams:Beijing Film Academy

Writers:Richard Chinedu Erem,Oyewole Oyekoya,Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky

PDF:Effects of Varying Avatar Sizes on Food Choices in Virtual Environments

Abstract

The escalating global obesity crisis necessitates innovative interventions to promote healthier eating habits. This study investigates the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) as a novel approach to this challenge. We developed a VR simulation of a supermarket shopping experience, where the player’s virtual physique changes immediately based on their dietary choices. The simulation was tested with seven participants, who reported high levels of immersion (mean score: 7.67 out of 10) and presence (mean score: 6.3 out of 10). Initial findings revealed a discrepancy in weight loss between genders, which was addressed by introducing a customization feature for gender-specific dietary adjustments. Notably, participants generally consumed fewer calories within the VR environment compared to their self-reported real-life habits. These preliminary findings suggest VR’s potential as a compelling tool for promoting healthier eating habits and combating obesity. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, and further research is warranted to substantiate these promising initial findings.