Press Releases: National
February 14, 2008
Kaiser Permanente Recognized With Leading Awards For Anti-Childhood Obesity Game
"The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective" Receives 2008 Best Products From iParenting Media Awards and Best in Class from Interactive Media
February 14, 2008 (Oakland, Calif.) – Kaiser Permanente’s "The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective," a first of its kind, free, online video game that teaches children to eat healthier foods and get more active, has been awarded 2008 Best Products by iParenting Media Awards and Best in Class by the Interactive Media Awards™.
"The Amazing Food Detective complements Kaiser Permanente's nationally recognized clinical and community-based strategies to fight childhood obesity by utilizing technology to engage children in making healthy choices," said Raymond J. Baxter, Ph.D., senior vice president, Community Benefit at Kaiser Permanente. "We are honored to be recognized by the iParenting Media Awards and the Interactive Media Awards, and feel they are a testament to our efforts in promoting healthy eating and active living."
The iParenting Media Awards is the only certified product review and awards program in the industry. Winners are selected by feedback from a diverse set of parents, experts, licensed childcare centers and schools nationwide. Judging criteria for the Interactive Media Awards includes design, usability, innovation in technical features, standards compliance and content.
Based on a popular character from Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program, the Amazing Food Detective takes children through activities that show how to choose healthy foods and get more active. Children playing the game follow the routines of eight culturally diverse children whose activities or conditions would benefit from healthy food and exercise choices. The game, aimed at children ages 9-10, is available to everyone at www.kp.org/amazingfooddetective.
These awards reinforce positive feedback received from classroom teachers who have incorporated the educational video game into their curriculum and are noticing a marked improvement in student eating habits. The program included a survey of teachers who received the game and learning materials, in which 79 percent found the game was effective, useful and fun. Teachers also noted that the video game influenced students, who began to replace junk food in their lunches with fresh fruits and vegetables. Another observation was that students were becoming more active both at school and at home with their families.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health care delivery system. Founded in 1945, it is a group practice prepayment program headquartered in Oakland, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of more than 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. It encompasses the not-for-profit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Permanente Medical Groups. Nationwide, Kaiser Permanente includes approximately 165,000 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 14,000 physicians representing all specialties. The system's Labor Management Partnership is the largest health care labor-management partnership in the United States. It governs how workers, managers, physicians and dentists work together to make Kaiser Permanente the best place to receive care, and the best place to work. For more Kaiser Permanente news, visit the KP News Center at: www.kp.org/newscenter.