Parental and environmental factors associated with physical activity among children participating in an active video game.
OBJECTIVE
Parental and intervention-specific environmental supports were examined as potential reinforcers for physical activity and use of a video game, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), among a cohort of 7- to 8-year-old children.


METHODS
Sixty children were randomized to an intervention (n = 40) or a control (n = 20) group. Physical activity was measured with accelerometry and DDR logs. Parental support for their child's physical activity was assessed via a questionnaire. DDR-specific environmental supports were captured on an environmental home screen and the DDR log.


RESULTS
At baseline, the absence of other video games and parent DDR participation was associated with child participation in DDR. At follow-up, DDR participation of siblings and friends was associated with child participation in DDR.


CONCLUSIONS
The primary findings of this study suggest that parental and peer participation in DDR may play a role in children's initial and sustained participation in DDR.
Paez
Sadye
S
Program in Human Movement Science, Division of Physical Therapy in Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. sadye.paez@cdl.unc.edu
Maloney
Ann
A
Kelsey
Kristine
K
Wiesen
Chris
C
Rosenberg
Angela
A
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018910:Video Games