Exergames to Limit Weight Gain and to Fight Sedentarism in Children and Adolescents with Obesity

Author:

Calcaterra Valeria12ORCID,Vandoni Matteo3ORCID,Marin Luca345ORCID,Carnevale Pellino Vittoria36ORCID,Rossi Virginia2ORCID,Gatti Alessandro3ORCID,Patanè Pamela356ORCID,Cavallo Caterina37,Re Fabio5,Albanese Ilaria356,Silvestri Dario8,De Nunzio Alessandro7ORCID,Zuccotti Gianvincenzo29ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

2. Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy

3. Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA), Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

4. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic

5. Laboratory for Rehabilitation, Medicine and Sport (LARMS), 00133 Rome, Italy

6. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy

7. Department of Research and Development, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Avenue du Parc des Sports, 50, 4671 Differdange, Luxembourg

8. Department of Research, ASOMI College of Sciences, 2080 Marsa, Malta

9. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy

Abstract

Exergames are defined as digital games that require bodily movements to play, stimulating an active gaming experience to function as a form of physical activity (PA). The players interact with the game through whole-body movements improving energy expenditure. Exergames may be effective in improving physical and psychological aspects of children and adolescents with obesity. In this narrative review, we synthesized the current evidence regarding the role of exergames in modifying body composition and weight and in promoting changes in sedentary behavior to define the benefits of active video games as useful tools for fighting sedentarism and to outline the future directions of exergaming as a supplementation exercise rather than a replacement in educational programs for pediatric obesity. Data from the literature indicate that exergames may offer an interesting impact on childhood obesity and may be considered a potential strategy for controlling weight gain and body composition, promote PA, and decrease time spent on sedentary behavior in children and adolescents with obesity. However, exergame use also has some limits, such as children’s poor self-regulation and poor structuring of exergame use. Therefore, a prudent approach should be maintained, and additional high-quality research is needed to determine if exergames can be effectively used in the treatment of childhood obesity and if new digital media, as a supplementation of exercise rather than a replacement, could be considered to combat sedentary behavior in educational programs for pediatric obesity prevention.

Funder

National Recovery and resilience Plan

European Union-NextGenerationEU

Regione Lombardia

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3