title: Evaluation of a Novel Mobile Exergame in a School-Based Environment.
abstract: Physical inactivity is increasing among children globally and has been directly linked to the growing problems of overweight and obesity. We aim to assess the impact of a new mobile exergame, MobileKids Monster Manor (MKMM), in a school-based setting. MKMM, developed with input from youth to enhance physical activity, is wirelessly connected to an accelerometer-based activity monitor. Forty-two healthy students (11.3 ± 1.2 years old and 0.28 ± 1.29 body-mass index [BMI] z-score) participated in a randomized 4-week crossover study to evaluate the game intervention. The two study arms consisted of week-long baseline, game intervention/control, washout, and control/game intervention phases. All participants were required to wear an activity monitor at all times to record steps and active minutes for the study duration. MKMM was used during each arm's respective intervention week, during which children were asked to play the game at their convenience. When children were exposed to the game, an increase compared with the control phase of 2,934 steps per day (p = 0.0004, 95% CI 1,434-4,434) and 46 active minutes per day (p = 0.001, 95% CI 20-72) from baseline (12,299 steps/day and 190 active minutes/day) was observed. A linear regression model showed that MKMM yielded a greater increase in steps and active minutes per day among children with a higher BMI z-score, showing 10 percent more steps per day and 14 percent more active minutes per day relative to baseline, per unit increase in BMI z-score. In conclusion, MKMM increased steps and active minutes in a school-based environment. This suggests that mobile exergames could be useful tools for schools to promote physical activity and combat obesity in adolescents.
authors.affiliation: 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine Research Group, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Ainara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garde
authors.affiliation: 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine Research Group, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Aryannah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Umedaly
authors.affiliation: 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine Research Group, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Sayed Mazdak
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abulnaga
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.affiliation: 3 Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chanoine
authors.affiliation: 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine Research Group, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: John Mark
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ansermino
authors.affiliation: 1 Electrical and Computer Engineering in Medicine Research Group, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
authors.forename: Guy Albert
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Dumont
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012574:Schools