[tt] Mobile networked Wii for weight loss

[Hughes, James J.]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070914210905.htm

Source:  	University of Houston
Date: 	September 21, 2007

Weight Loss Computer Game: Exercise To Win

Science Daily - Finding a way to motivate the billion people in the
world who are overweight to lose excess pounds can be an overwhelming
task, but a University of Houston professor is meeting that weighty
challenge with a challenge of his own.

Ioannis Pavlidis, a UH computer science professor, and research
assistants Yuichi Fujiki and Kostas Kazakos, have developed a computer
game that translates physical activity into video games, such as races
and logic puzzles. Dubbed Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT-o)
games, they can be played on any hand-held personal digital assistant
(PDA) with users wearing a lightweight, wearable sensor that detects
movement like running, walking, bending over or even foot tapping.

That data is then transmitted to the PDA via a wireless connection, and
the player can see his or her game avatar move in real-time to their
movements. For example, in the race game, the player's physical activity
propels the avatar around the track - the more active the player is, the
faster and farther the avatar goes.

"When you see the avatar move when you move, you really become connected
to the game," Pavlidis said.

Capitalizing on the buddy system for working out, users can link to
other gamers by cellular phone networks and compete against multiple
users in the next cubicle or the next state. The game can run all day in
the background as users go about their daily routines while earning
points and propelling their avatars as they walk to the copy machine,
take coffee breaks or walk the dog.

The lack of daily mild exercise is largely responsible for the world's
obesity epidemic, according to James Levine, a Mayo Clinic physician and
leading authority on obesity. Levine coined the 'NEAT' term to cover all
physical activity that is not conscious exercise. Since hitting the gym
for a regular workout might be too much to expect for those returning to
the fitness fold, these games encourage small, everyday lifestyle
changes, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking a
few spaces away from a store entrance versus driving around to find the
closest spot available.

"We hope the games can increase physical activity, add a dosage of
everyday fun and embed NEAT in the modern lifestyle," Pavlidis said. "We
expect an almost 'addictive' behavior resulting from this game, much
like the habit of playing solitaire during breaks is an everyday ritual
for many people. Because of the way we live today, people are sitting
all the time, so moving more is always a good thing.

"The allure of computer gaming and competition with other users
encourages players to make small lifestyle changes that can add up to
big health benefits," Pavlidis said.

A computer science student who was one of the first to try out the
devices lost 40 pounds in five months. The games also have been a hit
with early test groups and received rave reviews from players at an
April academic gathering of computer scientists.

Along with the straightforward racing game, Pavlidis also recently
rolled out his version of Sodoku, a logic-based numbers puzzle that has
become wildly popular. In this adaptation of Sodoku, the points players
earn through physical activity can be used to fill in another square on
the grid, providing clues to solving the rest of the puzzle. More games
designed to appeal to a variety of age groups are in the works.

Levine's lab at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is gauging the games'
effectiveness in a large trial experiment that began in June. Financed
by an endowed fund and a National Science Foundation grant, Pavlidis
hopes the game will be available to the public before the end of 2008.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by
University of Houston.