Wii gaming could help combat child obesity

A new study has shown that playing Wii for 12 hours a week could burn around 1,800 calories.

The study took five girls and seven boys, aged 13-15, and measured the impact of playing an inactive and active console. Results show that 15 minutes play with a traditional controller increased energy expenditure above resting values by an average of 60%. Playing with an active console - the Wii - the participants' average energy expenditure rose 156% above resting.

The report also notes that based on an average 12.2 hours of gaming in a week, a gamer could burn off around 1,800 calories using the Wii, a 40% increase over using a traditional console controller.

"Through our testing it is clear that the motion sensor-controlled console can make an impact on a child's heart rate, energy expenditure and the amount of calories burned," said lead researcher Professor Tim Cable. "Research that, on average, gamers in the UK currently spend around 12.2 hours a week playing computer games. Therefore, it is important to promote as much activity as possible during this time."

Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern, said children should be encouraged to play outside as much as possible and parents should limit the time their children play on video games. However, he accepts that children find games fascinating, "so it would be best if the games they play include an element of physical activity."

What games were used in the study are not know; obviously playing a game like Wii Sports is going to be more beneficial than a game which can be played with slight tilts to the Wii-mote.