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Studying the effects of family-based video exercise games on families with overweight children
Can popular, exercise-based video games encourage families with overweight children to get more exercise? That's the question a team from the Maine Medical Center sought to answer with this study, which identified impacts of the dance pad game Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) on families with at least one overweight child aged 9 to 17. In the study, participating families were randomly assigned to receive both a pedometer and a DDR game, or a pedometer only. Family members' physical activity, enjoyment, quality of life, Body Mass Index and body composition over time were studied and assessed. Researchers also examined factors that influenced each family's motivation to be physically active.
This project was funded as part of Health Games Research, a national program of the Pioneer Portfolio dedicated to funding and supporting research to advance the effectiveness of interactive games for health.
Grant Details
Amount Awarded $200,000.00
Awarded on: 5/1/2008
Time frame: 5/1/2008 - 7/31/2010
Grant Number: 64436
Grantee
Ann E. Maloney
Project Director
207-885-8138
Email