A Systematic Review on the Intervention Using Exercise Gaming to reduce Childhood Obesity
- Author:
Aminuddin NA
- Collective Name: Azit NA , Daud F
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Childhood Obesity, Pediatric Obesity, Exercise Game, Active Video Game, Weight Loss
- From:
The International Medical Journal Malaysia
2019;18(2):139-146
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The worsening trend of childhood obesity is a global public health issue. Digital technology evolution is a
contributing factor towards physical inactivity and obesity among children. In order to overcome this
growing problem, exercise games have been introduced in early eighties to ameliorate this obesogenic
environment. Exercise games utilize innovative technologies that provide an interactive environment,
requiring gestures and body movements to simulate on-screen gameplay. The objective of this review is to
assess the effectiveness of exercise gaming intervention in managing childhood obesity. A systematic review
was performed. Six articles examining exercise video games impact on weight management among children
published between January 2013 and December 2017 in the English language were selected from a total of 54
articles identified through five major search engines. Majority of the researchwas conducted in developed
countries particularly in the United States whereby some developing countries had started with small-scale
researches in this area. The result indicated that there was a significant increase in physical activity
level, reduction of BMI, reduced adipose tissue composition and a positive psychological impact after the
intervention of exercise games. However, the impact of exercise games on physiological and metabolic
parameters were inconclusive and requires further study. In conclusion, exercise games are the effective
way to combat childhood obesity, along with other modules of lifestyle.
- Full text:180220.pdf
