Physical activity using exergames in children with obesity: scoping review

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a significant concern during the preschool and school years, critical periods that influence long-term health. Gamification in physical activity aims to integrate exercise as an enjoyable experience, making it a feasible and sustainable practice within family routines. Objective: To map the scientific evidence on interventions promoting physical activity using exergames in preschool and school-aged children with overweight or obesity. Methods: Scoping Review following the methodological principles proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, with the main sources of information being databases and grey literature. Data selection and extraction were carried out by two independent researchers, with the intervention of a third in case of discrepancies. Results: The included studies suggest that physical activity for these children should be aerobic, lasting between 15 and 120 minutes, practiced three to seven times a week. The resources include consoles and web platforms. The measurement indicators cover anthropometric, cardiovascular, behavioral, and psychosocial dimensions, with the practice of physical activity using exergames being feasible in any context. Conclusion: The study concludes that exergames are an innovative and effective approach to promoting physical activity, while also contributing to an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of existing interventions. However, further research is needed to explore this type of intervention in younger age groups, with larger samples and longer follow-up periods, in order to maximize its impact.