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Gender differences in the effect of gamification on weight loss during a daily, neurocognitive training program
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Gender differences in the effect of gamification on weight loss during a daily, neurocognitive training program

Evan M. Forman, Stephanie M. Manasse, Diane H. Dallal, Rebecca J. Crochiere, Michael P. Berry, Meghan L. Butryn and Adrienne S. Juarascio
Translational behavioral medicine, v 11(4), pp 1015-1022
01 Apr 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa091
PMID: 32945860
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibaa091View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Science & Technology
A major contributor to the obesity epidemic is the overconsumption of high-calorie foods, which is partly governed by inhibitory control, that is, the ability to override pre-prepotent impulses and drives. Computerized inhibitory control trainings (ICTs) have demonstrated qualified success at affecting real-world health behaviors, and at improving weight loss, particularly when repeated frequently over an extended duration. It has been proposed that gamification (i.e., incorporating game-like elements such as a storyline, sounds, graphics, and rewards) might enhance participant interest and thus training compliance. Previous findings from a mostly female sample did support this hypothesis; however, it might be expected that the effects of gamification differ by gender such that men, who appear more motivated by gaming elements, stand to benefit more from gamification. The present study evaluated whether gender moderated the effect of a gamified ICT on weight loss. Seventy-six overweight individuals received a no-sugar-added dietary prescription and were randomized to 42 daily and 2 weekly ICTs focused on sweet foods that were either gamified or nongamified. Results supported the hypothesis that gamification elements had a positive effect on weight loss for men and not women (p = .03). However, mechanistic hypotheses for the moderating effect (in terms of enjoyment, compliance, and improvements in inhibitory control) were generally not supported (p's > .20). These results suggest that gamification of ICTs may boost weight loss outcomes for men and not women, but further research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms driving this effect and to arrive at gamification elements that enhance effects for both men and women.

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12 citations in Web of Science
12 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Web of Science research areas
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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