Abstract:

According to the well-known NOVA food classification system, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations derived from chemically modified food components and frequently incorporate additives to enhance palatability, texture, and shelf life. Examples of such products include sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged snacks, instant meals, and reconstituted meats. In contrast to unprocessed or minimally processed foods, UPFs are deficient in essential nutrients, dietary fibre, and bioactive phytochemicals. Instead, they are characterized by high energy density, excessive levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, as well as hyper-palatability. The trouble with UPFs is that they are often formulated to foster overconsumption, and some of their attributes may be quite reinforcing. UPFs seem to bypass the body’s satiety signals, eliciting quasi-addictive behaviours. Recent research has increasingly linked the consumption of UPFs to a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including inflammatory bowel, and colorectal cancer. Particularly, studies suggest that addiction to UPFs can disrupt the gut microbiome –the complex community of beneficial microorganisms residing in the human digestive tract– thereby contributing to gastrointestinal disorders. Despite of the risks, systematic reviews with meta-analyses indicate that UPFs make a substantial contribution to national diets around the globe, accounting for up to 80% of total caloric intake in some countries. Against this backdrop, we propose the development of Wise Gut, a pedagogical card game designed to address the detrimental effects of UPFs, and food additives on gut health. The conceptual framework of the game is informed by cognitive dissonance, a psychological theory which characterizes the mental discomfort experienced by individuals when they hold, simultaneously, two conflicting cognitions, such as ‘eating ultra-processed food’ and ‘knowing the harmful effects of ultra-processed food’. When faced with situations that evoke dissonance, individuals will tend to alleviate the discomfort. For example, they may try to modify their behaviour (reducing UPF intake) or rationalize their choices (discounting or trivializing the associated risks). The Wise Gut game, meant for secondary students, is designed for two to four players, uses four types of playing cards and rely on luck. During gameplay, participants face moves intended to help to chase healthy habits. After addressing the game mechanics, we argue that our approach encourages a critical reflection on dietary choices and cultivates a deeper awareness of the implications of food consumption on health. We conclude suggesting that, as far as the association between processed meat intake and colorectal cancer is concerned, an extended version of the Wise Gut game which incorporates logical thinking skills in addition to luck, can add great pedagogical value.

Keywords:

Card game, cognitive dissonance, addiction to UPFs, gut health, dietary choices.