Academics Secure Fondef Project: AI to Boost Healthy Habits in Schoolchildren

Led by three universities, this initiative aims to reduce childhood obesity in public schools through an interactive educational platform for children and adolescents.

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The University of Bío-Bío, the University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), and the University of Development have formed an interdisciplinary team to develop and validate PEGI (Gamified and Intelligent Educational Platform). This Fondef project seeks to transform school environments into healthier, more dynamic, and inclusive spaces. Dr. Tito Pizarro and Professor Fernando Concha from Usach’s Faculty of Medical Sciences (School of Physical Activity Sciences - Eciades) are actively involved in the project.

As childhood obesity continues to be a primary public health concern in Chile, the project “Development and Validation of a Gamified and Intelligent Educational Platform (PEGI) for Teaching Healthy Eating and Physical Activity to Students in Local Public Education Services (SLEP) Schools” seeks to offer a concrete and sustainable solution.

According to Dr. Tito Pizarro, “We detected a significant gap between recommendations on nutrition and physical activity and the actual capacity of schools to address them in an effective, up-to-date, and motivating way.” To bridge this, the PEGI platform leverages artificial intelligence, gamification, and educational content to foster meaningful learning of healthy habits from childhood. This project continues the work of two prior initiatives focused on “healthier schools” and is currently being piloted with the Gabriela Mistral SLEP in southern Santiago.

Professor Fernando Concha emphasizes their objective: “Our goal is to reach where public education is most needed and help transform adverse realities into a virtuous circle: healthier educational communities, greater educational and social achievements.”

One of the project’s central aspects is its focus on public school students, particularly those facing higher levels of social vulnerability. The academics explain that “children in public education often face greater barriers to accessing quality educational information and experiences on health issues.” They add that “this project also sets challenges for educational policy and society as a whole.”

Expected Impact

Expected results from this initiative include enhanced knowledge, more positive attitudes, and healthier practices in nutrition and physical activity for schoolchildren. Additionally, it aims to empower teachers and parents by training them as health promoters within their educational communities.

In the long term, the team hopes PEGI can be integrated into a national strategy for promoting children’s health. This integration, they explain, aims to significantly increase knowledge, positive attitudes, and healthy behaviors related to eating and physical activity among participating students, ensuring teachers and parents play an active role in reinforcing these habits. 

The researchers also point to a crucial result: validating the use of innovative educational technologies within schools, thereby demonstrating their applicability and effectiveness in health education.

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