dance_dance_revolution.jpg

Sure, the stereotype is of the kid alone in his parents’ basement playing video games, but a new says that may not be accurate. Well, at least it says the kid may not be quite so , quite so fast. West Virginia University researchers are claiming Dance Dance Revolution can at least slow weight gain in kids.

West Virginia’s pilot program was to install into every state middle school. But did it actually help? Researchers wanted to know, so they monitored 35 overweight children between the ages of 7 and 12. What they found was that who played on a nightly basis only gained 2 pounds during the 24 week . That compares to who did not play and gained 5.3 pounds.

That may sound like a minor victory, but consider that it was also done with during some of their peak growth years. Also consider that no other changes were made in the ’ lifestyles. No dietary changes or additional exercise were added. When viewed from this perspective, it certainly joins with other recent reports of the health benefits of physically involving games. Still, the clear message is that like with any fad diet, video games should only be a part of a bigger personal diet plan.


Related posts:

  1. Mayo Clinic finds games can be healthy; suggests more games should make you move
  2. University of Buffalo study draws link between games and being fat
  3. Why video games are the big fat wizard behind the curtain
  4. Video of the day: Dance Dance Castlevania Revolution
  5. Another newspaper on the side of games being useful in education