Comparison of short-term energy intake and appetite responses to active and seated video gaming, in 8–11-year-old boys

Abstract

The acute effects of active and seated video gaming on energy intake (EI), blood glucose, plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1 7-36 ) and subjective appetite (hunger, prospective food consumption and fullness) were examined in 8-11-year-old boys. In a randomised, crossover manner, twenty-two boys completed one 90-min active and one 90-min seated video gaming trial during which food and drinks were provided ad libitum. EI, plasma GLP-1 7-36 , blood glucose and subjective appetite were measured during and following both trials. Time-averaged AUC blood glucose was increased (P = 0·037); however, EI was lower during active video gaming (1·63 (SEM 0·26) MJ) compared with seated video gaming (2·65 (SEM 0·32) MJ) (P = 0·000). In a post-gaming test meal 1 h later, there were no significant differences in EI between the active and seated gaming trials. Although estimated energy expenditure was significantly higher during active video gaming, there was still no compensation for the lower EI. At cessation of the trials, relative EI (REI) was significantly lower following active video gaming (2·06 (SEM 0·30) MJ) v. seated video gaming (3·34 (SEM 0·35) MJ) (P = 0·000). No significant differences were detected in time-averaged AUC GLP-1 7-36 or subjective appetite. At cessation of the active video gaming trial, EI and REI were significantly less than for seated video gaming. In spite of this, the REI established for active video gaming was a considerable amount when considering the total daily estimated average requirement for 8-11-year-old boys in the UK (7·70 MJ).

Brain reactivity to visual food stimuli after moderate-intensity exercise in children

“…Physical activity increases energy expenditure (LeCheminant et al 2009) and, thus, is thought to promote body weight maintenance (Donnelly et al 2004). However, there has also been recent interest in whether or not physical activity and exercise influence energy intake or related correlates, such as appetite (Allsop et al 2016; Chaput et al 2016; Thivel et al 2014).…”

Effect of video game playing and a glucose preload on subjective appetite, subjective emotions, and food intake in overweight and obese boys

“…A number of physiological differences exist between healthy weight children and children with OW/OB, including the response of appetite regulatory hormones (Nguo et al 2016) and stress hormones (Lumeng et al 2014) to external stimuli. Two previous reports in young, healthy weight boys found no alterations in appetite regulatory hormones after VGP (Allsop et al 2016, Chaput et al 2011. However, future research should explore if boys with OW/OB respond differently.…”

Interactive video games to promote physical activity among healthy children and youths

“…The amount of energy expenditure during IVG was not large enough to compensate for the increased consumption of snacks. During the meal consumed 1 h after the end of the game, the children did not show any greater energy intake, both after the inactive and interactive video game [15]. Other studies showed no differences in snacking during an active and inactive video game.…”

“…Preliminary reports present IVGs as an effective method of promoting independent physical activity. Studies comparing IVG effects with other forms of physical exercise showed that active games generated increased energy expenditure of children, which corresponded to mild, moderate, or even intensive physical activity levels [11,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. IVGs are an accessible and active form of spending free time in a home environment.…”

“…Thanks to IVG, children become more active, and the level of this activity corresponds at least to low-intensity walking. Studies have even reported a fourfold increase in energy expenditure during the game session and the achievement of physical effort at an intensive level [11,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”