Children's Health & Fitness ? Childhood Obesity Vs. Video Games

July 22nd, 2012 by Len Saunders

From The Conversation?..

Here?s an idea for improving the health of our children: let them play more videogames.

Obesity has numerous health risks and it is most frightening in children as early learned behaviours will last throughout their life. The regulatory, infrastructure and educational changes suggested in The Conversation?s recent Obese Nation series will help in the fight against obesity.

But these ideas take time to implement and the problem is rapidly increasing.

We need solutions now if we are to help the youngest generation?the ones most at risk. But it is essential that any solution uses already ingrained activities, and most importantly, that it reinforces positive behaviours while being simple and enjoyable. Hence the idea we should let kids play more videogames.

The future of gaming

Before you all pick up your pitch forks and torches, hear me out. Too much time playing videogames is seen as a problem as it leads to a sedentary lifestyle that sacrifices health. That?s why limiting screen time is often suggested as a solution.

But once again, we look for the simple solution and blame videogames rather than trying to understand the more complex social and economical underpinnings of the problem. But setting aside these issues for a moment, I?d like discuss how videogames can actually help those with an already sedentary lifestyle.

To read the full story?..Click here

Entry Filed under: Health / Fitness Articles

Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=2345

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