Designing a Weight Management Virtual Reality Exergame for Obese and Overweight Healthy Adults
Abstract
Obesity is one of the key challenges that our society faces today. Virtual Reality (VR) exergame technologies have indicated significant results in health, increased physical activity, and weight loss, but were not used based on the daily need of obese and overweight subjects (over 18 years of age) to burn calories needed to lose weight. Since the current VR does not offer exercises based on the individual’s need to burn the necessary calories, this research focuses on two aspects to solve this problem. First, examines different sociodemo-graphic variables that influence the design of an effective VR tool regulating obesity. Second, evaluated the effectiveness of designing a VR-exergame prototype based on the user’s in and out calories to suggest an appropriate exercise they need to burn extra calories. In addition, to track users’ progress and update their exercise plan based on the user’s weight loss result. The WMVR was designed based on the needs and requirements of the targeted people, and it was evaluated by them. The results show that the prevalence of obesity was higher in all groups, at more than 40%. Aerobic exercise was the most preferred exercise at 91.5%. Health practitioners who participated in the study were advised through an expert survey to use virtual reality to adopt healthy habits. The WMVR prototype evaluated result shows that 65% of participants felt that the VR aspect of choosing exercise and scenarios increased their motivation, and 90% of respondents liked to use or recommend this system to others.
How to Cite This Article
Seham Saad Alharbi, Wadee Alhalabi (2024). Designing a Weight Management Virtual Reality Exergame for Obese and Overweight Healthy Adults . International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation (IJMRGE), 5(5), 597-607. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMRGE.2024.5.5.597-607