Diseño y validación de un personaje animado para la promoción de alimentos saludables en escolares mexicanos.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Diseño y validación de un personaje animado para la promoción de alimentos saludables en escolares mexicanos.
Alternate Title:	Design and validation of an Animated Character for Healthy Food Promotion in Mexican Schoolchildren.
Authors:	Martín-Díaz, Anaid Guadalupe¹ a.martin.umx@gmail.com, Aguilera-Cervantes, Virginia Gabriela¹, Housni, Fatima Ezzahra¹, Núñez-Gómez, Patricia², Campos-Uscanga, Yolanda³, Rangel-Bernal, Nora Edith⁴
Source:	Revista Española de Comunicación en Salud. ene-jun2026, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p77-90. 14p.
Subjects:	Cross-sectional method, Natural foods, Human services programs, Art, Evaluation of human services programs, School children, Research methodology, Research, Motion pictures, Health promotion, Nutrition education
Geographic Terms:	Mexico
Abstract (English):	Introduction: The food environment in Mexico promotes the consumption of unhealthy foods, with advertising characters being a common resource used by the food industry to encourage the consumption of ultra-processed among children. However, their effectiveness suggests potential for repurposing them into educational tools to promote healthy eating habits. The objective of this study was to design and validate an animated character to promote healthy foods among school-aged children. Methodology: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study with 70 children aged 6-12 years, carried out in two phases: 1) design and 2) validation of the animated character. Population validation was measured using a Likert scale (appearance) and a Stapel scale (attitudes and emotions), with a criterion of ≥4 considered acceptable. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent from the children. Results: Acceptance of the character was positive (4.0, SD: 0.86; "I like it"). The highest-rated attributes were "Intelligent" (μ: 4.18, SD: 1.26), "Friendly" (μ: 4.14, SD: 1.37), "Fun" (μ: 4.09, SD: 1.18), and "Trustworthy" (μ: 4.06, SD: 1.21), with no differences across school grades. Conclusions: The animated character met the validation criteria, demonstrating favorable acceptance in appearance and positive attributes, confirming its potential use as an educational tool to promote healthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish):	Introducción: El entorno alimentario en México promueve el consumo de alimentos no saludables, siendo el personaje publicitario un recurso de la industria alimentaria que incita al consumo de ultraprocesados en los niños. Sin embargo, su efectividad sugiere un potencial para transformarlo en una herramienta educativa para promover una alimentación aludable. El objetivo del estudio fue diseñar y validar un personaje animado para promover alimentos saludables en escolares. Metodología: Se ha aplicado un estudio transversal descriptivo y analítico con 70 niños de 6 a 12 años de México, realizado en dos fases: 1) diseño y 2) validación del personaje animado. La validación poblacional se midió a través de la escala Likert (apariencia) y la escala de Stapel (actitudes y emociones), considerando válido un criterio ≥4. Se obtuvo el consentimiento informado de padres y el asentimiento de los niños participantes. Resultados: La aceptación fue positiva (4.0, DE: 0.86; «Me gusta»). Los atributos mejor valorados fueron "Inteligente" (μ: 4.18, DE:1.26), "Amable" (μ: 4.14, DE:1.37), "Divertido" (μ:4.09, DE:1.18) y "Confiable" (μ:4.06, DE:1.21), sin diferencias entre grados escolares. Conclusiones: El personaje animado cumplió con la validación, demostrando una aceptación favorable en apariencia y atributos positivos, confirmando su uso potencial como herramienta educativa para promover hábitos alimentarios salud ables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	MedicLatina

Description
Abstract:	Introduction: The food environment in Mexico promotes the consumption of unhealthy foods, with advertising characters being a common resource used by the food industry to encourage the consumption of ultra-processed among children. However, their effectiveness suggests potential for repurposing them into educational tools to promote healthy eating habits. The objective of this study was to design and validate an animated character to promote healthy foods among school-aged children. Methodology: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study with 70 children aged 6-12 years, carried out in two phases: 1) design and 2) validation of the animated character. Population validation was measured using a Likert scale (appearance) and a Stapel scale (attitudes and emotions), with a criterion of ≥4 considered acceptable. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent from the children. Results: Acceptance of the character was positive (4.0, SD: 0.86; "I like it"). The highest-rated attributes were "Intelligent" (μ: 4.18, SD: 1.26), "Friendly" (μ: 4.14, SD: 1.37), "Fun" (μ: 4.09, SD: 1.18), and "Trustworthy" (μ: 4.06, SD: 1.21), with no differences across school grades. Conclusions: The animated character met the validation criteria, demonstrating favorable acceptance in appearance and positive attributes, confirming its potential use as an educational tool to promote healthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	19899882
DOI:	10.20318/recs.2026.9792