Dr. Zan Gao, assistant professor in Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, organized a research symposium, “Promoting Physical Activity and Health through Exergaming in Children,” at the 2015 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual conference held June 2-6 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The purpose of Dr. Gao’s symposium was to investigate the effects of different exergaming programs on children’s health outcomes.

Dr. Gao presented two research papers and two posters at the symposium, and co-presented a project with colleagues from France. After the conference he traveled to Brest, France, to deliver a guest lecture, “Promoting children’s health through exergaming interventions,” at the European University of Britney. The lecture was well-received by faculty and graduate students from kinesiology and computer science.

Below are the citations from Dr. Gao’s presentations.

Gao, Z., Huang, C., Stodden, D., Roncesvalles, N., & Pope, Z. (2015). Trajectory changes of children’s daily physical activity and sedentary behaviors over two years: Effects of exergaming and physical education. Paper presented at International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015.

Pope, Z., & Gao, Z., (2015). Kindergartner’s accelerometer-determined physical activity and sedentary behaviors in exergaming. Paper presented at International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015.

Gao, Z., Hannah, P., Barr-Anderson, D., Larson, N., Thul C., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2015). Growth trajectories of individuals’ physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and BMI from childhood through young adulthood. Paper presented at International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015.

Pope, Z., Lee, J., Zhang, D., & Gao, Z., (2015). Validation of physical activity survey for during school activities in urban children. Paper presented at International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015.

Roure, C., Pasco, D., Kermarrec, G., & Gao, Z. (2015). High school students’ situational interest predicting physical activity levels in exergaming. Paper presented to International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2015.