Abstract
This laboratory study examined whether making sedentary activities contingent upon being physically active would increase obese children's physical activity. Fourteen obese children aged 8–12 y participated in a baseline session in which they had free choice among a variety of sedentary activities and riding a stationary bicycle. Children were then randomized to either a contingent group in which watching video cassette recorder (VCR) movies and playing video games were contingent upon riding the bicycle or a control group in which all physical and sedentary activities remained freely available. Contingent group children increased physical activity and decreased television activities in comparison to the control, even though other sedentary activities remained freely available. Findings suggest that highly valued sedentary activities can reinforce physical activities and that sedentary activities do not completely substitute amongst themselves. The automated system used to make television activities contingent upon physical activity has potential for modifying activity in the treatment of obesity.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saelens, B., Epstein, L. Behavioral engineering of activity choice in obese children. Int J Obes 22, 275–277 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800570
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800570
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Markers of adiposity among children and adolescents: implications of the isotemporal substitution paradigm with sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns
Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (2015)
-
Screen-Time Weight-loss Intervention Targeting Children at Home (SWITCH): a randomized controlled trial
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2014)
-
Making access to TV contingent on physical activity: effects on liking and relative reinforcing value of TV and physical activity in overweight and obese children
Journal of Behavioral Medicine (2012)
-
Make Better Choices (MBC): Study design of a randomized controlled trial testing optimal technology-supported change in multiple diet and physical activity risk behaviors
BMC Public Health (2010)
-
Addressing childhood obesity through increased physical activity
Nature Reviews Endocrinology (2010)