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"To reduce cardiovascular disease mortality in West Virginia through research and intervention in children"

• Coronary
• Artery
• Risk
• Detection
• In
• Appalachian
• Communities

(image: drawing of a heart with arms and legs)

(image: chart of % of At-Risk Children vs. % of Overweight Children from 2001 to 2006)

(image: photos of exercising baby and child eating cantelope)

• Total Body Video Game
• Social activity
• Subculture
• Performance/competition platform
• Workout and weight loss tool
• Classroom and workplace activity

• Video game
• Scoring, earning new songs
• Easy to very difficult, unending complexity
• Single or versus play options
• Measurable Performance
  • Technical skill
  • CNS processing, reaction time
  • Artistic/expressive movement
• Social and Emotional Variables

• 35 children 7-12 years of age who had a BMI>85th percentile
• Children had to be covered by PEIA or Blue Cross/Blue Shield

• Endothelial function
  • Measured flow-mediated dilation using a high –resolution ultrasound machine
• Fasting Blood Draw
  • Lipid profile
  • Insulin and glucose values
  • Markers for oxidative stress
• Maximal aerobic fitness test
  • Stationary bicycle
• Questionnaires

• Average endothelial function was <3.5% dilation
• 66% of subjects had very low HDL values
• 22% of the subjects had high insulin values
• Most subjects reported very low levels of physical activity on their first visit
• Most subjects reported eating a high-fat diet

• Subjects were randomly assigned to an exercise or delayed-treatment control group
• First 12 weeks
  • Exercise group completed a home-based exercise program using DDR which included daily logs and phone coaching
  • DTC received no intervention

• Preliminary results
  • 12 weeks exercise program increased endothelial function in exercise group to 9.56% dilation
  • Significant improvement were seen in fitness levels in the exercise group but not in the DTC group
  • Exercise group mean insulin values remained within normal range, Control groups mean insulin levels were abnormal at the 12-week mark

• Children are more willing to do other modes of physical activity
• Children have higher self esteem
• Coordination improved
• Children report getting less winded when they are being physically active
• Many siblings and/or parents end up doing DDR with the participating child
• Children report having a lot of fun while doing DDR

(image: cartoon of obese children making fun of a fit child)

• Train Physical Education Teachers
  • Resource Materials and Lesson Plans
• Introduce DDR to students in PE
• Integrate DDR into school environment
  • Before/after school
  • School Dances, Special Events, Clubs

1. Middle Schools (Spring/Fall 2006)
2. Secondary Schools (Fall 2006)
3. Elementary Schools (Spring 2007)

• Konami Digital Entertainment
• WV Public Employee Insurance Agency
• WV Department of Education
• Mountaineer Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Acordia Insurance Company
• WV Governor's Office
• Best Buy