Discussing health complications with a person suffering from obesity can be sensitive, challenging, and even heart-breaking at times, but how about preventing the problem from the start? How can we communicate to children the dangers of obesity when they are sitting behind their iPad? Texas State University student innovators and team members of the App-Abling group, Victoria Salinas, Megan Ducote, Cesar Najera and Taylor Branch, have developed a way to target child obesity by launching fun mobile applications that are designed to get kids moving and learning.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, child obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescent in the past 30 years. In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. App-Abling develops a series of mobile applications to resolve child obesity issues. Partnered and sponsored by Upstream, a design consultancy in Austin, the App-Abling team will propose a series of mobile applications to help the children with obesity problem, their parents, and social worker.“

Back are the days where kids are playing outside with their neighborhood friends and classmates. With the newly developed apps innovated by the App-Abling team, children no longer have to choose between playing outside and playing with their mobile apps, instead they can do both while gaining major health benefits. I met with a couple of students who are a part of the App-Abling team, and they were able to discuss how their individual app will help children become more educated about their health and how they will stay active while having fun. Check out my interview with the team below!

Thank you to the App-Abling team for sharing your app creations with me. Be sure to catch them at SXSW Interactive!

When and Where:
Sunday, March 12
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
W Hotel / 200 Lavaca St.

Find out more: Texas State University Innovation Lab and Reception