Big Top Fitness: An Investigation of the Effectiveness and Appeal of Interactive Television
by Zagarino, Christina, M.A., TUFTS UNIVERSITY, 2011, 83 pages; 1495517

Abstract:

An increasing number of children in the United States are challenged by childhood obesity. In addition to the environmental factors associated with eating and food choices, television and other sedentary activities are considered significant contributors to the epidemic. Big Top Fitness is a new interactive television program that aims to get child viewers physically active and on their feet while watching television. The program utilizes seven features of an interactive television show originally developed by Dan Anderson, Angela Santomero, and Alice Wilder in the creation of Blue’s Clues. Using a sample of 50 three to five-year-old children at two school sites, this study examined the extent to which the program promoted imitation of physical movements. The results showed that physical movement was imitated at one school site for two episodes of the program. The role of interactive television programs, such as Big Top Fitness, in promoting physical activity and implications for future research are discussed.

 
AdviserCalvin Gidney
SchoolTUFTS UNIVERSITY
SourceMAI/ 49-06, p. , Jul 2011
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsPublic health; Developmental psychology; Health education; Educational technology
Publication Number1495517
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