JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Regular physical activity and exercise are fundamental components of a healthy lifestyle for youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Yet few youth living with T1D achieve the daily minimum recommended levels of physical activity and some may spend much of their leisure time playing digital games.

Objective:

We examined characteristics of digital gaming versus non-digital gaming (Other exercise) sessions and whether youth with T1D who play digital games (Gamers) engaged in less Other exercise than youth who do not (Non-gamers) using data from the Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Initiative Pediatric (T1DEXIP) study.

Methods:

During a 10-day observation period, youth self-reported exercise sessions, digital gaming sessions, and insulin use. We also collected data from activity wearables, continuous glucose monitors, and insulin pump (if available).

Results:

The sample included 251 youth with T1D (age: 14±2 years old [mean±SD], self-reported HbA1c of 7.1±1.3%); 42% were female. Digital gaming sessions lasted longer, had less change in glucose, and lower mean heart rates during sessions than Other exercise sessions. Youth described a greater percent of digital gaming sessions (67%) as low intensity compared to Other exercise (30%) sessions. We had 31 youth who reported at least 1 digital gaming session (Gamers) and 220 youth who reported no digital gaming (Non-gamers). Notably, Gamers engaged in 86±43 minutes of Other exercise per day, which was comparable to the minutes of Other exercise per day reported by Non-gamers (80±47).

Conclusions:

Digital gaming sessions were longer in duration, had less change in glucose, and had lower mean heart rates compared to Other exercise sessions. Nevertheless, Gamers reported comparable levels of Other exercise per day as Non-gamers, suggesting digital gaming may not fully displace Other exercise in youth with T1D.