Substudy of Change in Cardiometabolic Disease (CMD) Risk Factors During an Interactive Fitness Program

Childhood obesity is increasingly common and is predictive of adult type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent pediatric studies suggest exercise reduces
cardiometabolic risk factors. Despite evidence of its benefits, exercise training prescribed
by pediatricians is traditionally vague, developmentally inappropriate, and/or fraught with
psychological, financial and practical barriers. There has been recent interest in the use
of interactive technologies, also termed "exer-gaming" as a way to translate known positive
benefits of exercise into increased physical activity in youth. Initial adult studies
demonstrate benefits, yet there are few studies of exer-gaming involving children at
increased CVD risk. This project involves a partnership between Children's Hospital Boston
and the GoKids Boston Youth Fitness Research and Training Center at UMass Boston, featuring
an interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians from pediatric cardiology,
prevention, nursing, exercise physiology, and behavior change. Participants are eligible for
this substudy based on enrollment in a pilot project evaluating the effects of a
state-of-the-art exercise training facility incorporating the latest technology-based
exercise games ("exer-games") in Boston Public School elementary children. Effects on CVD
risk factor levels including lipids, blood pressure, body composition vascular reactivity,
insulin resistance pre and post intervention will be compared to an Advice-Only condition
and correlated with activity level. Eligible participants will be identified as part of the
baseline measurements of that study and will be offered the chance to participate in the CHB
Sub-Study, a two visit observational design.