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BIBTEX RIS

Exergaming as a Strategic Tool in the Fight against Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

2013; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Volume: 2013; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1155/2013/438364

2090-0716

Carminda Maria Goersch Fontenele Lamboglia, Vanina Tereza Barbosa Lopes da Silva, José Eurico de Vasconcelos Filho, Mônica Helena Neves Pereira Pinheiro, Marilene Calderaro Munguba, Francisco Valmar Isaias Silva Júnior, Fernando Alberto Ramirez de Paula, Carlos Antônio Bruno da Silva,

Children's Physical and Motor Development

Improper use of electronic media is considered a major contributing factor to childhood obesity. However, exergames, a new generation of active games, have made it possible to combine electronic entertainment with physical exercise. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the use of exergaming as a strategic tool in the fight against childhood obesity. Information was retrieved from the databases SciELO, LILACS, Pubmed, Ebsco, and Science Direct, using the search words “egames,” “exergames,” “exergaming,” “new generation of video games,” “active video games,” “energy expenditure,” “body composition,” and “physical activity” in English and Portuguese, covering the period January 2008 to April 2012. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Exergaming was found to increase physical activity levels, energy expenditure, maximal oxygen uptake, heart rate, and percentage of physical activity engaged in and to reduce waist circumference and sedentary screen time. Thus, exergaming may be considered a highly relevant strategic tool for the adoption of an active and healthy lifestyle and may be useful in the fight against childhood obesity.