# Change Talk: Childhood Obesity

> Role-play simulation for healthcare providers to practice motivational interviewing for childhood obesity. (iPhone/iPad app by Kognito Interactive.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/change-talk-childhood-obesity/id821851796 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kognito Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/821851799)
- Category: Health & Fitness, Medical
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 26 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 66 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-04-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/change-talk-childhood-obesity/id821851796/reviews.md

## What is Change Talk?

How do you collaborate with patients and families to elicit and strengthen their motivation to change their health behaviors? How do you work with patients who are not sure they want to change?

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity™ is a role-play simulation where you take the role of a healthcare provider and engage in a series of practice conversations with virtual parents and their children. Through the conversations, you learn to apply Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques such as reflective listening and rolling with resistance to help them identify motivation for change and make an action plan. Practice scenarios include the topics of sugary drinks, breastfeeding, and picky eating.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based and patient-centered method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change health behaviors. Numerous studies show that health providers can use MI as a counseling technique to collaborate with patients to explore their feelings of ambivalence about change and then guide them in setting goals and developing a plan. Rather than just telling patients what’s wrong or what they should change; it’s instead about listening to what they feel is important and helping them find their own motivation for change. 


* FEATURES
- Learn Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques to better communicate with patients and motivate behavior change
- Learn by engaging in a series of simulated role-play conversations with fully animated parents and their children, while receiving personalized feedback from a virtual coach
- A pocket guide of MI techniques for quick reference whenever you want to refresh your skills

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity™ was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight™ (Institute) and Kognito™.
Development of this app was made possible by a grant from Danone Early Life Nutrition.
The Institute gratefully acknowledges the shared commitment and support of its Founding Sponsor, Nestlé.

## Key features

- Practice motivational interviewing techniques
- Simulated role-play conversations
- Personalized feedback from a virtual coach
- Pocket guide of MI techniques
- Scenarios on sugary drinks, breastfeeding, picky eating

## Recent user reviews (10 of 26)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/change-talk-childhood-obesity/id821851796/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No Sound

*2021-11-09*

No sound on iPhone I don’t know if  iOS 15 is not supported yet or there is app problem

### 1/5 — Another piece of pro-manipulation trash

*2020-12-18, version 2.4*

While this app isn’t as abhorrent as the “HPV: Same Day, Same Way” app, it still encourages health providers to use manipulation strategies instead of just fostering a real and genuine, honest conversation.

### 1/5 — Won’t work

*2018-10-07*

The first overview won’t even open, asking me to connect to the internet. It is connected but the app keeps shutting down. Not satisfied.

### 5/5 — Extremely useful simulation app

*2018-09-26, version 2.4*

I first saw this app used in a counseling class and decided to download it because the simulations are extremely useful.  I am studying to work in healthcare and I have seen way to many ineffective counselors who are trying to promote change.  I didn’t want that to become me so I’m glad there are interactive resources out there like this app.

### 1/5 — Cannot connect to internet

*2018-07-06*

Seems really useful HOWEVER I cannot even access the first lesson/overview. Keeps telling me that it “cannot connect to internet” and does not work even with cellular data.

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2018-06-04*

This app is absolutely amazing

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2015-11-15, version 1.2.1*

The app has no problem it is on fleek, I wish they're more than one with only child obesity maybe something else other wise perfect!!!

### 5/5 — Extremely well done!

*2014-08-26, version 1.2*

This simulation gave me the courage to bring my son in to our pediatrician, whom I contacted prior to the visit, to discuss his weight. I saw through this simulation how the right motivation or a plan from the right person (the doctor) can give the child the "wake up call" they need and deserve to deal with their weight. Choice words in a sensitive conversation such as this one are crucial and can be taught well through this practice experience. I hope that all pediatricians/doctors find this course well and help other children as much as they have helped my son.

### 5/5 — Gets you thinking- wannabe dr or counsellor

*2014-06-19*

Interactive app that helps develop your questioning skills to broach difficult subjects. This app tackles childhood obesity but the same principles I think could be applied to many walks of life. Worth a download for either students or those worried about their children

### 4/5 — useful

*2014-06-18*

This is a very helpful app, the information of obesity in children, help children to weight control, very good.

## Frequently asked questions about Change Talk

### What is Change Talk: Childhood Obesity used for?

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity is a role-play simulation designed for healthcare providers to practice motivational interviewing techniques. It helps users learn how to elicit and strengthen patient motivation for health behavior change, particularly concerning childhood obesity.

### How does Change Talk: Childhood Obesity help users learn?

Users learn by engaging in simulated conversations with animated parents and children, applying techniques like reflective listening and rolling with resistance. A virtual coach provides personalized feedback to enhance learning.

### What specific topics are covered in Change Talk: Childhood Obesity?

The simulation includes practice scenarios focused on common childhood obesity-related topics such as reducing sugary drink consumption, promoting breastfeeding, and addressing picky eating habits.

### Is Change Talk: Childhood Obesity available on multiple devices?

Yes, Change Talk: Childhood Obesity is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, making it accessible for healthcare providers on the go.

### How often is Change Talk: Childhood Obesity updated?

The app was last updated on November 14, 2017, with the latest version being 2.4. It was initially released on April 6, 2014.

### What is the rating for Change Talk: Childhood Obesity?

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity has a rating of 4.2 stars based on 5 user ratings, indicating generally positive user sentiment.

### Who developed Change Talk: Childhood Obesity?

Change Talk: Childhood Obesity was developed by Kognito Interactive in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight™.

### Is there a cost to use Change Talk: Childhood Obesity?

No, Change Talk: Childhood Obesity is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements associated with the application.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2017-11-14

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- iOS 11 compatibility

### 2.3 — 2017-01-03

- UI fixes.
- Minor text fixes.

### 2.2 — 2016-12-21

- Added support for ASTC textures

### 2.1 — 2016-09-30

- Improved experience for users without internet connection

### 2.0 — 2016-09-13

Added new scenarios and content
- Two new virtual conversations! Motivate a young mom to continue breastfeeding or a dad to set limits on snacking.
- Four interactive mini-lessons on MI techniques, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and elicit-provide-elicit.
- Dashboards give detailed feedback on your choices in each virtual conversation

## Apps similar to Change Talk

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [MI Coach](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mi-coach/id1572316783) | 4.0 (4) | Free | Health & Fitness |

## More apps by Kognito Interactive

- [Together Strong](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/together-strong/id903930751)
- [One Degree Shift the Influence](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/one-degree-shift-the-influence/id1250172969)
- [Screening Time](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/screening-time/id1276204215)
- [Friend2Friend](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/friend2friend/id1291472331)
- [HPV Vaccine: Same Way Same Day](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hpv-vaccine-same-way-same-day/id1356847181)

All apps by Kognito Interactive: https://appshunter.io/developer/821851799

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
