IVAN the Virtual Dietitian and Other Immersive Food Technologies

This product is free for NI DPG members.

This webinar was presented live on June 7, 2023.

When people hear virtual reality (VR), images of video games and futuristic worlds often come to mind. Practical applications for VR for dietetics might be closer than you think. This session will showcase innovative research on the benefits of VR applications for nutrition education. Presenters will discuss how VR applications were shown to be more interactive, enjoyable, and produced stronger knowledge transfer while being more cost effective compared to traditional education methods. They will also highlight new methods to measure food choice and even how participants can eat in virtual environments.

CPE Level: 3
CPEU: 1
Performance Indicators: 5.1.10, 5.2.7, 9.3.2

Learning Objectives

• Define the fundamentals of how VR headsets function.
• Identify at least three benefits of VR learning applications for participants and dietitians.
• Explain at least 2 barriers to VR adoption and propose solutions.

Speakers

Travis Masterson, PhD, MS, Broadhurst Career Development Professor for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Dr. Travis Masterson is currently the Director of the Health, Ingestive Behavior, and Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab) at Penn State University where he is the Broadhurst Career Development Professor for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. His work primarily focuses on understanding and changing food related behavior using technology including social media, ecological momentary assessment, and immersive virtual reality.

Sara Pritschet, RD, MS, Graduate Assistant, Pennsylvania State University

Sara Pritschet is currently a PhD candidate at Penn State working under the mentorship of Dr. Travis Masterson in the Health, Ingestive Behavior, and Technology Laboratory (HIT Lab).  She has previously worked as a dietitian in the areas of pediatric diabetes and weight management.  At Penn state, she is studying the effects of digital marketing on adolescent eating behaviors.