While video games have been linked to cause weight gain, a new study points to the use of a computer avatar to improve exercise habits that lead to weight loss.
The study revealed that individuals who watched a virtual character that look similar to them led to a weight loss of 3.5 pounds in four weeks on average.The proponents of the study found out that 88 percent of the 128 subjects believed that using virtual reality might help them visualize what needs to be done in order to shed off unwanted pounds.
"This small study suggests that virtual reality could be a promising new tool for building healthier habits. You don't have to be a gamer to use virtual reality to learn some important skills for weight loss," said Melissa Napolitano, professor at the School of Public Health and Health Services of the George Washington University, in a press statement.
Eight of the subjects were later asked to do a four-week exercise course and learn the basics of healthy living through videos that feature an avatar representing themselves. For example, in one of the 15-minute DVDs, an avatar talks about portion sizes where the subjects learned when serving sizes are just right or too large. Other videos presented exercises that will help the subjects achieve their weight loss goals.
The digital alter-ego can be configured so it will resemble the subject's features. Its skin color and body shape can be altered to be an effective virtual reality representation.
"When an avatar looks like you, it increases self-efficacy, which is somebody's confidence that they themselves have the ability to do that act. You can visualize yourself doing something and realize, wow, it's really not that hard," said Napolitano in an interview with USA Today.
The study titled "Using Avatars to Model Weight Loss Behaviors: Participant attitudes and technology development" was published on July 1 in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.
"It is totally reasonable to expect the VR (virtual reality) could become standard practice for weight management and other behavior change programs. Young people today are raised with technology and use it for everything," said clinical nutrition professor Debra Sullivan from the University of Kansas.
