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Belghali M, Statsenko Y, Al-Za'abi A. Improving Serious Games to Tackle Childhood Obesity. Front Psychol 2021; 12:657289. [PMID: 34025521 PMCID: PMC8134678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.657289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue. Today, there are opportunities to promote health through technological devices such as serious games. Despite the major advancement of this field of research, the use of serious games as a validated intervention in clinical practice requires further clarifications on some methodological aspects. In this perspective article, we report the pros and cons of existing serious games. Besides, we attempt to propose a new methodology of design of a serious game that could help to cope with childhood obesity. The proposed idea consists of a serious game in virtual reality based on enjoyment, movement, education, and executive functioning (EF) training. Longitudinal studies and solid research protocol would certainly ensure consistency and aid interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroua Belghali
- Department of Health and Physical Education, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yauhen Statsenko
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulsalam Al-Za'abi
- Department of Health and Physical Education, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Andrade A, Correia CK, Coimbra DR. The Psychological Effects of Exergames for Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2020; 22:724-735. [PMID: 31697604 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2019.0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to analyze the psychological effects of exergames for children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. In August 2018, the electronic databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The eligibility criteria were defined according to the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design. In relation to the population, only studies with children or adolescents with overweight or obesity and without any other comorbidities were analyzed. Only publications in English were considered. Nine studies were selected. The comparisons identified were in relation to weight, type of activity, and play style versus control and preintervention. The magnitude of effect size suggests that the practice of exergaming has a small effect on psychological outcomes. Furthermore, cooperative games produced greater attraction to the game (g = 4.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.23-6.19) and greater intrinsic motivation (g = 5.29; 95% CI = 3.68-6.90). It was verified that self-esteem (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.09-0.66), and self-efficacy (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.06-0.79) improved after playing an exergame. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exergames may be effective in improving psychological aspects of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Given the limited number of studies, it is essential to increase scientific research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandro Andrade
- Laboratory of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Department of Physical Education, Center of Health Sciences and Sports, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Clara Knierim Correia
- Laboratory of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Department of Physical Education, Center of Health Sciences and Sports, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Danilo Reis Coimbra
- Laboratory of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Department of Physical Education, Center of Health Sciences and Sports, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil
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O'Loughlin EK, Dutczak H, Kakinami L, Consalvo M, McGrath JJ, Barnett TA. Exergaming in Youth and Young Adults: A Narrative Overview. Games Health J 2020; 9:314-338. [PMID: 32017864 DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2019.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of rapid evolution in exergaming technology and content, the literature on the benefits of exergaming needs ongoing review. Updated syntheses incorporating high-quality critical assessments of included articles can provide cutting-edge evidence to drive research and practice. The objectives were to summarize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the association between exergaming and (1) physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior and energy expenditure (EE); and (2) body composition, body mass index (BMI), and other weight-related outcomes among persons younger than 30 years; and to summarize recommendations in the articles retained. The Elton B. Stephens Co. (ESBSCO) database for reviews was searched from January 1995 to July 2019. Data on study characteristics, findings, and recommendations for future research, game design, and intervention development were extracted from articles that met the inclusion criteria, quality scores were attributed to each article, and a narrative overview of the evidence was undertaken. Twenty-eight reviews, with 5-100 articles per review, were identified. Seventeen assessed the evidence on the association between exergaming and PA, EE, and/or sedentary behavior, and 11 examined the association with body composition, BMI, or other weight-related outcomes. There was substantial heterogeneity across reviews in objectives, definitions, and methods. A positive relationship between exergaming and EE is well documented, but whether exergaming increases PA or changes body composition is not established. The reviews retained also provide evidence that exergaming is a healthier alternative to sedentary behavior and that it can be an exciting enjoyable pastime for youth, which adds variety in PA options for health and dietary interventions. Exergaming is likely more physically health promoting than traditional videogames because of higher EE and possibly improved physical fitness and body composition. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess if exergaming reduces sedentary time, has other health benefits, or is a sustainable behavior. We recommend that exergaming interventions be designed using behavior change theory, and that future reviews use standard review criteria and include recommendations for research, game design, and intervention development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K O'Loughlin
- INDI department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Hartley Dutczak
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society. Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Lisa Kakinami
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.,PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mia Consalvo
- Communications Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jennifer J McGrath
- PERFORM Centre, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.,Psychology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tracie A Barnett
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,CR du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada.,Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Gao
- School of Kinesiology, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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