Obesity experts praise exergames
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Overweight children are playing to lose.
Video games have often been cited as one of the leading contributors to our nation's stunning rise in obesity.
Now, they're being cited as a potential solution.
The Montreal Gazette reports on an international health conference held in the city this week, during which organizers lauded the health benefits of "exergames" like Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution. The games require players to exert extensive physical activity, a far cry from the traditional image of gamers twiddling their thumbs on a couch.
According to Laurette Dube, organizer of the 2008 McGill Health Challenge Think Tank, it's time to consider the benefits of any activity that promotes movement.
"When we talk about obesity, we often talk about the fast-food industry... But that's only one side of the equation - the energy-in side. We also have to look at the energy-out side, and that's why it's very important to look at ways in which we can reduce kids' inactive time and increase their share of time that gets them moving."
Linda Carson, a professor of physical education at West Virginia University and a speaker at the conference, agreed, acknowledging that negative perceptions about gaming persist.
"There are some folks who feel that by promoting physical activity through the use of video games, children are being socially isolated or not be encouraged to go outside and play. I think exergaming needs to be recognized as an exciting alternative to traditional physical education."
Carson also announced the results of a study showing that kids who played exergames gained less weight and had improved aerobic ability compared to kids who didn't play at all. The exergaming kids also showed more interest in trying outdoor sports.
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