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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311518
Title: Exergames: Theoretical perspective

Author
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe

Submitted to: The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2014
Publication Date: 2/1/2015
Citation: Thompson, D.J. 2015. Exergames: Theoretical perspective. The Games for Health Journal: Research, Development, and Clinical Applications. 4(1):8-11.

Interpretive Summary: Behavioral theories and procedures help develop interventions more likely to have the intended effects on behaviors, such as diet and physical activity. This article discusses various theories and how they can be incorporated into videogames designed to change behavior. Understanding how to integrate theory and related procedures into videogames may result in videogames that have a greater chance of changing behavior. As videogames are popular among children and adults, identifying effective ways to use them to change behavior has the potential for impact.

Technical Abstract: This paper is based on an invited presentation as part of the Exergame Preconference Symposium held in Houston, TX May 19-20, 2014 that was hosted by Tom Baranowski, PhD, and the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine. Its purpose is to provide insight into the ways in which theory can be used to guide exergame research.