Exergaming as Physical Activity for Weight Loss in Low-Income Overweight and Obese African American Adolescents

Introduction: Exergames, which are video games that require gross motor activity, may provide sustainable discretionary physical activity to promote weight loss. Exergames may be especially useful in disadvantaged communities that lack facilities and equipment for traditional sports activities. Methods: Fifty-four 15- to 19-year-old overweight and obese low-income African American adolescents were randomly assigned to competitive exergame, cooperative exergame, or control conditions. Exergame participants were encouraged to play the Nintendo Wii Active game for 30 to 60 minutes daily in a lunch-time or after-school program. Cooperative exergame participants worked with a peer to expend calories and earn points together, whereas competitive exergame participants competed individually against a peer. Weight and friendship quality were measured at baseline, 10 weeks, and 20 weeks. Results: Growth curve analysis revealed that cooperative exergame players lost weight during the intervention, whereas competitive and control conditions did not. Participants with higher friendship quality lost more weight than those with lower friendship quality. Conclusion: Exergames can be an effective technological tool for physical activity and weight loss among overweight and obese youth from disadvantaged communities.