Video Games & Obesity in Children

New video game systems are designed to incorporate physical activity.

While some video games can be good for the brain and help gamers develop critical thinking skills, sedentary video games can have a detrimental effect on a child's physical health by causing obesity.

Research

Research conducted at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland in 2004 found that children who played video games were more obese than children who did not. These studies factored in other variables like breakfast consumption, and snacks consumed while watching television.

Reducing Obesity

Randomized trials conducted by the University of Buffalo in 2008 found that children who cut video game playing time in half had statistically significant weight loss.

Addiction

Children who compulsively play video games are addicted to dopamine that is released from the brain when they experience the excitement of the game.

Effects

In the past, most video games involved no physical activity. Thus, time spent playing video games was time spent away from these physical activities.

Potential

As of 2009, video game systems like Nintendo's Wii have introduced games that incorporate physical activity. Games that incorporate physical activity may reduce obesity.

References

• Science Daily: Swiss Study on Video Games and Childhood Obesity
• Science Daily: Cutting Video Game Time Lowers Obesity
• WebMD: Video Game Addiction