Table 3.

Intervention lesson descriptions

Lesson	Visit	Description	Associated Learning Theory
1. “What parts of my body help me eat?”	4	Children used a virtual anatomy software (Food Munchers Free Play Module http://146.186.106.208/) to help visualize the digestive system. As children watched food travel through the digestive tract, age-appropriate explanations of the role of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon in digestion were provided.	Observational learning- children observed food travel through an avatar’s body and saw that different foods and amounts filled the avatar’s stomach to different level
2. “How do our bodies feel when we are hungry or full?” and “Why do we eat? Why do we stop eating?”	5	Images were shown depicting children eating for various reasons, including “because an adult told me to,” “because the food looks yummy,” and “because the food tastes yummy.” Children then consumed a meal to experience these scenarios. After the meal, children were shown images of reasons children stop eating, including “because my friends are done,” “because there is no food left on my plate,” and “because I want to go play.” The research assistant then discussed the importance of eating in response to internal hunger and fullness signals rather than environmental cues.	Observational learning- children observed images of children eating/stop eating for various reasons Experiential learning- children were guided during the meal to discuss their feelings of hunger and fullness with the researcher, and were assisted in creating a meal based on their hunger levels
3. “What happens if I eat too much?”	6	Children were read “Peter-Peter Pumpkin Eater,” a book to teach them what it can feel like to overeat. After the story, children were asked to discuss why they thought Peter got a stomach ache and if they had ever experienced discomfort associated with overeating. Children were then asked to discuss ways Peter could avoid overeating in the future.	Observational learning- children observed what happens to Peter- Peter Pumpkin Eater when he eats too much
4. “How much does your stomach fill up when you eat?”	7	Children played the “Make a Meal” module of the interactive virtual eating simulation game. In this module, children must select a meal for their avatar that contains the “just right” amount. If they select too little, their avatar tells them they don’t have enough energy to play. If they select too much, their avatar appears sick and sluggish and gets a stomach ache. Children must continue through the simulation until they select an amount that is “just right.”	Experiential learning- children had to use trial and error to select a meal that would be appropriate for themselves Observational learning- children received feedback from the avatar about whether they had chosen too much, too little, or just the right amount of food