Dr Andy Jones, an Environmental Sciences lecturer at the University of East Anglia in the UK, conducted a simple experiment to demonstrate the benefits of active gaming at an open lecturer for 400 kids and their parents. The experiment was nothing complex, just two kids hooked up to heart monitors while one did Wii Fit, and the other watched a DVD.

Unsurprisingly, the child running on the spot had a higher pulse than the sedentary DVD watcher. Nothing shocking there then, but good to see the kids getting involved in science.

What did strike me, was a comment from the lecturer about an additional health benefit of the Wii that had never occurred to me:



Both as a child and an adult, I've always found myself eating more when I'm sedentary or bored (so work tends to be lethal from the snacking perspective). When people sit down to a DVD they will often get a snack. The combination of eating and no motion is a pretty quick way to pile on the pounds.

Many people look at the Wii, and Wii Fit, as fun ways to get kids doing exercise, but I think they are missing a trick. Making the Wii into something that's "good for you" will probably just put kids off playing them. The Wii, and any active gaming system such as DDR is great for kids not because they are exercise (the number of calories burnt is minimal), but because it stops them from becoming habitually sedentary.

The Wii and Wii Fit will never make you fit on their own, but it sure beats the more laid-back alternatives. For kids, active gaming like this has the potential to prevent them developing the unhealthy sedentary habits that those of use that grew up in the 80's are trying to shake off in later life. In a world where people seem increasingly unwilling to let their kids out to play, providing something a little more active at home is going to make a difference.

Full coverage of the story at the Norwich Evening News