Fitwits, a new spin-out from the School of Design, teaches children about obesity prevention.

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is spinning out Fitwits, a new company that aims to teach children healthy eating habits and tackle obesity. The company comes out of the university’s School of Design and is set up through CMU’s tech transfer office Centre for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creation.

Fitwits has been five years in the making, during which time it attracted nearly $1m of investments. The funding came from The Heinz Endowments, Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group, Innovation Works, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Based on work by associate professor Kristin Hughes, the company offer three main products. Fitwits Games allows parents and children to learn about healthy eating habits together. Fitwits Educator is aimed at teachers. Fitwits MD is aimed at GPs and consists of flash cards. All three products were developed with input from health professionals and nutrition specialists, as well as families in weight management clinics and school personnel. Fitwits is currently in a national trial in the US with an undisclosed global health insurance provider.

Obesity is a growing global problem, with an upwards trend in children aged six to 11. While in 1980 a mere 7% in that age group were obese in the US, which number more than doubled to 18% in 2012. Hispanic boys and African-American girls, as well as children in lower socioeconomic households, are at greater risk.

Kristin Hughes said: “Behaviour modification is something that, when learned early, can last a lifetime. Through Fitwits, we are helping families try healthy behaviours through gaming, with the end result being a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Fitwits changes the dynamic between health care providers, families and kids, and we see the evidence: better-educated children and families, waist reduction, increased physical activity, and physicians feeling more comfortable and confident delivering obesity education.”