The Power of Play: Increasing Physical Activity and Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk in Inner City Youth Using Novel Interactive Gaming

Abstract

Dr. Hayman will present the design, methods and results of a recently completed pilot study, a randomized control trial, designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous-physical activity in 3rd to 5th grade children from an inner-citty public school. Lessons learned from this study that incorporated interactive gaming and was conducted at GoKids Boston, an interdisciplinary research, training and community outreach center located within UMass Boston, will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the promise and potential of interactive gaming, the need for increased physical activity in the school environment, and implications for future research focused on prevention and management of obesity in early life.