Grant: Operating Grant-PA: INMD Start Up Funds (bridge funding) - Assistant Professors

In terms of children's health, active video games would appear to be advantageous over sedentary video games as the video activity burns more calories. However, significant increases in physical activity as a result of active video game play might be of little importance to prevent weight gain if one compensates by increasing food intake and/or decreasing physical activity subsequent to the intervention. This issue is supported by recent results from our group showing that sedentary video game playing increases food intake in adolescents. Thus, a careful examination of the effects of active video games on both sides of the energy balance equation (i.e. eating and activity) is needed in order to determine whether active video games may play a role in decreasing risk of obesity. To answer this question, 30 normal-weight and 30 obese adolescents (13-17 years) will be engaged in each of the 3 following conditions: (1) resting in a sitting, relaxing position on a comfortable chair (control condition); (2) playing Xbox 360 (sedentary video game condition); and (3) playing Kinect (active video game condition). Each participant will do the activity for 1 hour. Food intake and physical activity will be measured for a 3-day period. Additionally, we will gather information on indicators of stress, appetite and key appetite hormones. The present study is innovative and likely to result in a number of new and important findings that can inform future recommendations. If we confirm our hypothesis, the clinical implication will be to rethink the strategy of promoting active video games as an intervention tool for the prevention of overweight and obesity in youth.