Family Exergaming

A Videogame Intervention to Help Increase Families Physical Activity

Research indicates that childhood obesity rates have tripled in the last few years (Odgen, 2006). At least 27% of our high school students between the ages of 13-18 years old are over the 85th percentile for obesity, and 16% of children are over the 95th percentile (Maine Child Health Survey, 2002). Childhood obesity has been found to lead to a variety of health risks including glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidema, hepatic steatosis, cholelithiasis, sleep apnea, menstrual abnormalities, impaired balance, and orthopedic problems (Koplan, Liverman, & Kraak, 2005). Furthermore, obese children have been found to have a lower quality of life than non-obese children (Schwimmer, Burwinkle, & Varni, 2003).

A report from the Institute of Medicine entitled, “Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance” outlines several societal changes that have been found to influence childhood obesity, such as the decrease in children’s physical activity and the increase of sedentary screen time (e.g., watching T.V., handheld videogames) in children between the ages of 9-15 years old. Thus, a central challenge for preventing childhood obesity and creating a healthy balance in the lives of children is to increase their levels of physical activity and decrease the amount of sedentary screen time.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded $200k from the Health Games Research Non-Profit Organization to study the influence of exergames on childhood obesity. Exergames are defined as videogames that increase physical activity and decrease sedentary screen time. Today there exist many exergames that people of all ages love to play. One of the most popular exergames is Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). DDR initially was only available to play in arcades. Due to the extreme popularity of the game it was then mass produced and available to enjoy in people’s homes. The home version of DDR uses a standard game console (e.g., PlayStation2) along with a dance pad that senses when someone dances the correct steps in the correct sequence with the proper timing. DDR can connect up to two dance pads, which allows more than one person to dance at the same time. Not only is it a great way to increase your physical activity, it’s also fun for the whole family to enjoy together!

To find out more about the Family Exergaming Study please click on the Consent Form link. Reading through the Consent Form will provide you with the details of the study, such as: Why is this study being done? How many people will take part? What is involved in the study? How long will the study last? Are there any benefits/risks to participating in this study?

If you are interested in participating in this study please click on the Eligibility Criteria link to see if your family is eligible to participate! If you are eligible and would like to participate, then please click on the Contact Information link and we will reply to your request as soon as possible.

Koplan, J. P., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I. (2005). Preventing childhood obesity: Health in the balance: Executive summary. J Am Diet Assoc, 105, 131-138.

Schwimmer, J. B., Burwinkle, T. M., Varni, J. W. (2003). Health-related quality of life of severely obese children and adolescents. Jama, 289, 1813-1819.