Parental and Environmental Factors Associated with Physical Activity Among Children Participating in an Active Video Game

In Brief Purpose: Parental and intervention-specific environmental supports were examined as potential reinforcers for physical activity and use of a video game, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), among a cohort of 7- to 8-year-old children. Methods: Sixty children were randomized to an intervention (n = 40) or a control (n = 20) group. Physical activity was measured with accelerometry and DDR logs. Parental support for their child’s physical activity was assessed via a questionnaire. DDR-specific environmental supports were captured on an environmental home screen and the DDR log. Results: At baseline, the absence of other video games and parent DDR participation was associated with child participation in DDR. At follow-up, DDR participation of siblings and friends was associated with child participation in DDR. Conclusion: The primary findings of this study suggest that parental and peer participation in DDR may play a role in children’s initial and sustained participation in DDR. This randomized control trial examined parental and environmental support for children’s participation in a video game (Dance Dance Revolution). The authors suggest that parental and peer participation may play a role in children’s initial and sustained participation in the video game.