The Impact of Incorporating an Exergame Activity Application in a Treatment Regimen for Overweight Children

The Impact of Incorporating an Exergame Activity Application in a Treatment Regimen for Overweight Children

80 children aged 5-13, BMI≥85%, will be recruited to a program for the treatment of overweight children.The intervention group will use the app "Just Dance Now" and The control group will be exposed to the usual program without the app. Measurements will be performed at the beginning of the program, the end and 3 months after completion of the intervention.

80 children aged 5-13, BMI≥85%, will be recruited to the five-month program, at two centers for the treatment of overweight children. The intervention group will use the app "Just Dance Now" and part of a weekly exercise session will be dedicated to a group app activity. The control group will be exposed to the usual program without the app.

Measurements of BMI, blood sugar and lipid profiles, as well as physical examination, and questionnaires regarding attitude and response to physical activity will be performed at the beginning of the program, the end and 3 months after completion of the intervention. Participation in the sessions will be documented and home activity recorded using a weekly log. ANOVA two-way repeated measures will be used to assess improvements in outcome measures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 5-13 from the center for the treatment of overweight children in the MACABI health organization
• BMI≥85%.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with physical disabilities, that don't allow participation in physical activity during the study.
• Children who don't own a mobile phone or don't have an access to a computer to activate the app for one hour a day.
• BMI<85%