Playing Video Games Help Support Child Development

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Recently, there have been many active video games that have become popular amongst children that can encourage exercise. Video games such as the Wii and the Xbox connect engage children in a whole new way in which the whole body is actively involved. The scientific journal JAMA Pediatrics conducted a study to evaluate the effects of active video gaming on the physical activity and weight loss in children. The research group conducted a 16-week study on seventy five overweight or obese children that were enrolled into a community-based weight management program. The average age of the participants was 10 years old, the average BMI score was 2.15 and the percent of overweight form the median BMI was 64.3 percent. The participants were broken down into two groups to assess the effects that active video gaming could have on weight loss; however both groups received the family-based pediatric weight management program Join for Me. The participants in the program and active gaming group received a game console and motion capture device and one active game at their second treatment session. They also received a second game in week nine of the program. Participants in the program only group were handed the hardware items and two games at the completion of the 16-week program. The results of the study concluded that the participants in the program and active gaming group exhibited a great increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity but the program only group saw a decline or no change in their physical activity levels. In both groups, participants exhibited significant reductions in percentage overweight and BMI scores but the program and active gaming group exhibited a significantly greater amount (JAMA Pediatrics, 2014, p.1). This... ... middle of paper ... ...rg/10.1016/j.cub.2013.01.044 Dekin University. 2012. Kids who play interactive video games have better motor skills. Retrieved from http://www.deakin.edu.au/news/2012/240712childrenmotorskills.php. Elsevier.2012. Kids with cerebral palsy may benefit from video game play. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507102227.htm JAMA Pediatrics. 2014. Effects of a pediatric weight management program with and without active video games. Retrieved from: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1838346 Ostrovosky, G. 2008. Studies show benefits of video game playing. Retrieved from http://www.medgadget.com/2008/08/studies_show_benefits_of_video_game_playing.html ScienceDaily. 2009. Some video games can make children kinder and more likely to help. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617171819.htm

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