OBJECTIVES: Virtual reality exercise games requiring gross motor movement provide a characteristic opportunity to increase physical activity in people’s daily lives. Young adults are regarded as a ‘vulnerable group’ susceptible to adopting unhealthy lifestyles, leading to overweight and obesity. They are beginning to use virtual reality exercise games for weight control, but the factors that influence their preference for using virtual reality exercise games for weight control remain unclear.This study aimed to identify, characterize, and explain the factors influencing young adults' preference for weight control using virtual reality exercise games.

METHODS: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews. Four focus group interviews were conducted with 23 young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. The qualitative data was analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological methodology.

RESULTS: Three major factors were found to influence preference: individual factors, social or environmental factors and expectations of virtual reality game exercise. Individual factors include experience with previous weight control methods, previous experience with virtual reality, psychological status, desire to have a normal BMI, preference for exercise type, and acceptance of virtual reality exercise games. Social or environmental factors include social definition of beauty, weather or public health events, and knowledge of virtual reality provided. Expectations of virtual reality game exercise include cost of the device, the fun of virtual reality game exercise, supervision, modality of virtual reality game exercise, feedback after exercise, convenience to use, and weight loss effect.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified some factors that appear to influence young adults’ preference for virtual reality game exercise in weight control settings. When virtual reality games exercise for controlling weight is designed and developed, these factors should be considered.