DE-FORME: Development of healthy hydration habit in children aged 5yrs to 9yrs

Abstract

As we are moving towards a more digital age, our lives are getting busier but our problems stay the same. Health problems like Fatigue, kidney issues, and poor skin health are because of inadequate water intake. There are products designed for adults but children are more prone to dehydration. As the person gets older, it becomes harder to induce a habit; therefore, childhood is a critical period. Via different research techniques (surveys, interviews, and observation) I deduced that habit development at the age of 5-9 can help children have sufficient water intake. Therefore, behavior change can drastically affect their lifestyle whilst eliminating the mother's responsibility to teach her child. Based on the findings, I designed an interactive bottle that engages the child, inducing the habit of drinking water and calculating daily water intake. Through behavioral studies, I found that a habit can be developed unconsciously by using my device regularly. The analysis reflected; sufficient water intake can eliminate all the major problems related to dehydration escalating faster. Behavior change can majorly affect the overall lifestyle and lead us towards sustainable life.