Physical Activity and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adolescent Exergamers

Purpose: Exergame use (or active video games that promote physical activity [PA]) has the potential to increase PA in youth, but there is a scarcity of information about PA of youth who are current exergamers. The current study examined PA behaviors in exergamers versus nonexergamers. Methods: Adolescents (N = 2,793; mean age = 14.4 +/- 2.0 years) participating in EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens) self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and exergaming and PA behavior. Height and weight were measured. Results: Both male and female exergamers tended to be younger and black compared with nonexergamers (p<.001). Generally, exergamers did not report significantly more PA than nonexergamers, except for female exergamers who engaged in more vigorous PA than female nonexergamers (p<.01; 1.3 +/- .05 h/wk vs. 1.6 +/- .06 h/wk, respectively). Conclusions: PA behavior in exergamers is similar to PA behavior in nonexergamers. However, when targeting vigorous PA, exergaming may be an innovative and appealing intervention strategy for adolescent girls. (c) 2018 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.