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Cited by 81Obesity, Physical Activity, DietEducational Games and GamificationPhysical education and sports games research

The Psychological Effects of Exergames for Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Andrade, Alexandro, Correia, Clara Knierim, Coimbra, Danilo Reis·2019·Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
DOI 10.1089/cyber.2019.0341
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Abstract

The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to analyze the psychological effects of exergames for children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. In August 2018, the electronic databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. The eligibility criteria were defined according to the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design. In relation to the population, only studies with children or adolescents with overweight or obesity and without any other comorbidities were analyzed. Only publications in English were considered. Nine studies were selected. The comparisons identified were in relation to weight, type of activity, and play style versus control and preintervention. The magnitude of effect size suggests that the practice of exergaming has a small effect on psychological outcomes. Furthermore, cooperative games produced greater attraction to the game (g = 4.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.23–6.19) and greater intrinsic motivation (g = 5.29; 95% CI = 3.68–6.90). It was verified that self-esteem (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.09–0.66), and self-efficacy (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.06–0.79) improved after playing an exergame. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that exergames may be effective in improving psychological aspects of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. Given the limited number of studies, it is essential to increase scientific research in this area.

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  • A study comparing adolescents with excess body weight to peers with normal weight found that AVG participation improved self-esteem, self-efficacy, and positive expectations of exercise more effectively than sedentary video games or walking activities.

    “For example, a study comparing adolescents with excess body weight to peers with normal weight found that AVG participation improved self-esteem, self-efficacy, and positive expectations of exercise more effectively than sedentary video games or walking activities [74].”

    From Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults (2026) · cites this paper as [74]

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  • In clinical contexts, interactive qualities of exergaming can enhance motivation by providing personal feedback and enjoyment during recovery.

    “In clinical contexts, the interactive qualities of exergaming can enhance motivation, as players can receive personal feedback and enjoyment while progressing toward recovery goals [69, 74].”

    From Health Benefits of Video Games in Adolescents and Young Adults (2026) · cites this paper as [74]

    The ‘Psychological effects of exergames’ section reports increased motivation for exercise and greater enjoyment among children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. The paper does not establish that personal feedback drives motivation or that these effects occur while patients progress toward recovery goals in clinical contexts. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Authors
Andrade, A., Correia, C. K., & Coimbra, D. R.
Affiliations
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (BR)
Corresponding author
Andrade, Alexandro
ORCID
Venue
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2019-11-01
Volume
22
Issue
11
Pages
724-735
ISSN
  • 2152-2715 (ISSN-L)
  • 2152-2723
DOI
10.1089/cyber.2019.0341
OpenAlex
W2988713126
Cited by
81
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8
FWCI
1.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior ((Code 001))
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Physical education and sports games research
Keywords
exergames, childhood obesity, adolescent obesity, overweight, psychological impact, intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, self-efficacy, cooperative games, game attractiveness, children and adolescents
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Child, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Obesity, Exercise, Treatment Outcome, Overweight

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