Social Gaming Combined With Behavior Tracking Inspires More Exercise, Weight Loss

A 10-week U.S. study involving young and middle-aged adults, both sedentary and active, found that keeping an online diary of activities and participating in social gaming helped people exercise more frequently. The game that participants played with partners was designed to inspire wellness through involvement in outdoor activities, researchers said. It featured a virtual character that went snorkeling, played in the park, raked a Zen garden and performed other actions that increased physical activity. Participants experienced decreased body-mass index during the study, a strong wellness indicator. Results were stronger among participants who started with gaming, and the results were sustained after gaming elements were removed.