| It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out | | | | a seated game, and their heart rate is also |
| that video games and obesity are linked. I have | | | | significantly higher with the active game", |
| to admit that I am a little jealous and grateful at | | | | according to a report in the September issue of |
| the same time that the technology of today was | | | | Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. |
| not around when I was a child. Video games can | | | | The Nintendo Wii game is user friendly and |
| be fun and are definitely addictive. Overweight | | | | entertaining for everyone including spectators. It |
| children generally live more sedentary lifestyles | | | | comes with 5 sports games: bowling, golf, boxing, |
| and are socially less active. They have more idle | | | | tennis, and baseball along with other features such |
| time and since video games can be so addictive | | | | as a body mass index calculator and a tracking |
| they find themselves playing games for | | | | system for up to 8 users. The game is played by |
| entertainment. The implications of this is that | | | | using the controller in a similar fashion as you |
| playing video games could cause obesity rather | | | | would a bowling ball or golf club. Another popular |
| than obesity being a cause of playing video | | | | game is the XaviX gaming system. Quite similar |
| games. | | | | to the Nintendo Wii system except it also sports |
| Comparing video games and obesity to television | | | | games that involve more physical activity such as |
| viewing it would seem fairly obvious that television | | | | jogging by use of a gaming mat called the |
| viewing is the worse of the two evils. Most | | | | XaviX-J-Mat. |
| traditional video games require the use of two | | | | It is refreshing to know that video games and |
| hands to operate the game controller. One could | | | | obesity have hope. Video games do come with a |
| theorize that while playing video games children | | | | price tag but when it comes to your childs health |
| are snacking less and are not exposed to | | | | it is worth the investment. Extertainment games |
| advertisements promoting unhealthy foods. Of | | | | could pay for themselves when you consider the |
| course, the downside to this theory is the "pause" | | | | savings from medical bills, emergency room visits, |
| button. Additionally studies have shown that | | | | and other costs associated with obesity |
| heavier children spend more time in sedentary | | | | treatment. If you find yourself in a no win |
| activities than thinner kids do. Children with lower | | | | situation with the kids and video games this may |
| body mass indexes are more likely to use | | | | be a positive solution for the whole family to |
| computers for non-game purposes, and their | | | | enjoy. Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention |
| video game usage varies. | | | | Research Center at Yale University School of |
| Because of video games and obesity the | | | | Medicine, "the power of technological progress can |
| manufacturers of electronic games have had a | | | | be converted from foe to friend with regard to |
| bad reputation over the years. But just like any | | | | the health of children" by being tapped to provide |
| good business they have come up with a solution | | | | a meaningful source of physical activity (Reinberg, |
| that may very well be an answer to childhood | | | | HealthDay, 9/1/08; Mellecker/McManus, Archives |
| obesity. Integrated game consoles such as | | | | of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, September |
| Nintendo Wii have opened up a whole new | | | | 2008]). While these may prove to be beneficial, |
| perspective on physical activity. "Children burn | | | | parents should encourage outdoor activity to |
| more than four times as many calories per | | | | further help prevent obesity. |
| minute playing an active video game than playing | | | | |