Evaluating the impact of a cloud-based serious game on obese people

•A cloud-based gaming is proposed to monitor health condition of obese people.•The game enables ubiquitous and real-time access of health data by the therapists.•Therapist-mediated dynamic change of game level and recommendation is supported.•The gaming impact on cognitive behavior of obese people is measured.•The results show the obese become self-aware and motivated for weight loss.

This paper describes the process of monitoring obese people through a cloud-based serious game that promotes them to engage in physical exercises in a playful manner. The monitoring process focuses on obtaining various health and exercise-related parameters of obese during game-play, such as heart rate, weight, step count and calorie burn, which contributes to their weight loss. While the obese are engaged in the game session, therapists/caregivers can access their health data anytime, anywhere and from any device to change the game complexity level and accordingly provide on the spot recommendation. In our study, we evaluate how the different physical activities performed through this game impact their cognitive behavior in terms of attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction. The evaluation was based on the participation of 150 undergraduate obese and overweight students who were asked to play the game and fill a questionnaire after game-play. The data analysis conducted on their feedback showed that they were self-aware and motivated to play the game for weight loss.