2023, PRODUCT DESIGN, RESEARCH
Reducing emotional eating with design for behaviour change
During this group project for the course “Design and Behaviour Change”, we designed a product that could help to reduce emotional eating among adults. A scientific research study was done to create a framework on which the design was based. Ultimately, a game was designed that could persuade users to exercise instead of binge eating.
Emotional eating is an unhealthy coping mechanism to deal with negative emotions such as stress, which can lead to guilt and other bad feelings. By providing an alternative option that is not only healthier but also regulates stress, the habit can be slowly changed. The E-Motion Box gives the user the option to either eat or exercise (which is a stress-release method) while nudging them towards the exercise option. By using the behaviour change theories, a product was designed that would give users a moment of reflection before they could decide between eating or moving. The gamification of the product adds to the nudging and the short amount of time it takes to use it. The game empowers individuals to make their own choices and reflect on their behaviour without constricting them or denying them to eat or get their snacks. It provides an alternative coping mechanism that is proven to be stress-reducing. Additionally, it fits into its surroundings seemingly in the kitchen context but could also be moved to any other preferred place.
Framework
When designing a physical product that reduces emotional eating, a method of changing the habitual behaviour of the user will need to be found. To do this successfully, several behaviour change theories were considered. Based on these theories, a framework was established to be used for designing an intervention to reduce emotional eating. To identify and change someone’s behaviour regarding emotional eating a few steps can be taken. For the first step, it can be helpful to use cognitive dissonance theory to help the user understand their behaviour and why the habit is colliding with their values.
Next, the identification of the motivational attributes needs to be assessed to have a better picture of why emotional eating is reoccurring. Both internal factors such as lack of self-control and external factors like stress should be analysed. From there, strategies for increasing motivation (related to self-determination theory) can be made by understanding the individual’s psychological needs. Both the attribution theory and the self-determination theory are connected and can be combined, as they are both heavily influential for motivation. Changing the environment or adding social support can help trigger behaviour change and should be part of the change.
Additional research
Further research was done into opportunities based on the established framework. Two specific approaches within this framework were examined: learning emotional skills through games, and stress reduction through exercise instead of eating. The objective is to explore the potential benefits of these interventions in managing stress and anxiety and fostering emotional resilience.
The design
The E-Motion Box is designed to hold the food that people eat while they’re under a lot of stress. When individuals experience stress and feel the inclination to engage in emotional eating, they encounter the E-Motion Box. Users have to first get off the balance board that is on top of the E-Motion Box for it to open. An interactive screen and a lid are visible when the box is opened.
Minigames
On the screen are games to reduce stress and increase healthy decision-making through exercise. In this way, exercising can be a coping mechanism to emotional eating to reduce stress and emotional eating, and make healthier choices. The games entail physical movement facilitated through the balance board. These interactive games not only encourage individuals to engage in exercises but also serve as a viable coping mechanism.
Personal contributions to this project
This project was part of the course “Design and Behaviour Change”. I chose the topic for our group and was the chair. Furthermore, I played an important part in creating the framework and shaping the concept. I also made the concept drawings and storyboard. In this course, I learned a lot about behaviour change and how to apply it. I found the topics to be extremely interesting and useful, and will certainly apply this way of determining a framework in later projects.
Personal contributions to this project
This project was part of the course “Design and Behaviour Change”. I chose the topic for our group and was the chair. Furthermore, I played an important part in creating the framework and shaping the concept. I also made the concept drawings and storyboard. In this course, I learned a lot about behaviour change and how to apply it. I found the topics to be extremely interesting and useful, and will certainly apply this way of determining a framework in later projects.