Could Wii Fit Solve Obesity-Related Problems?
By Anna Boyd
13:46, May 26th 2008
121 votes
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Could Wii Fit Solve Obesity-Related Problems?

As obesity has become a worldwide problem in recent years, Nintendo’s innovative exercising video game, Wii Fit, couldn’t “fit” better.

It seems like the video games industry, which has always been blamed for causing obesity and inactivity, is now offering players an innovative way to keep fit by combining the skills of a personal trainer and the fun one gets from playing video games.

The newest Nintendo product includes training activities falling into four fitness categories: Aerobic Exercise (10-minute exercises that are designed to get the heart pumping), Muscle Conditioning (Controlled motions using arms, legs and other body parts), Yoga Poses (Classic poses that focus on balance and stretching), and Balance Games (Fun activities, such as ski jumping and heading soccer balls, which challenge the players' overall body balance).

The video game comes at a time when obesity is one of the leading causes of disease globally. Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight, can delay or prevent some of these diseases.

It seems like Wii Fit is exactly what many people with these conditions need. Although it may not solve one’s weight problems, its developers say it promotes a healthy life style and is an interactive guide to activities that help people keep in shape and have fun at the same time.

Maybe this concept of video game will help statistics on obesity look better in the near future. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization, obese population will cross the 700 million milestone by the year 2015.

For only $89.99, the package includes the Wii Fit software disc and the hefty balance board, which measures the user’s body mass index before setting players on diverse workout routines. This board senses the user’s weight as he steps on it and uses the information to control and synchronize the onscreen games and exercises designed to improve your balance, posture and fitness. And the more you play, the more progress you make and the more games you can unlock.

What could be better for your health than Wii Fit? If you’re the lazy kind of person who doesn’t often go out and exercise with other people, then this is the perfect way to lose weight. The game gives you the chance to look and feel better by exercising in your own bedroom, with other users encouraging you to reach your goals.

It seems like Nintendo has planned it all well, as the game will be more likely to have more women among its players than men. Women seem to be more attentive to their obesity problem and are more willing to lose weight and look and feel better. Wii Fit fits them perfectly as time appears to be one of countless enemies in their effort to lose weight.

In a society where time plays an essential factor and they have to balance a family life with a career, going to fitness clubs and keeping fit is not a top priority for them. Now, the problem is solved, as their bedroom could become the perfect place to keep in shape and healthy. Moreover, they could do that involving their families, which could have significant outcomes in solving problems resulting from obesity.

Now the only problem Nintendo has to fix is to have enough products, as only in the US, important online retailers such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, CircuitCity and others were sold out of the video game two days after it was distributed all across America. I guess sales of Wii Fit are good enough to prove that people are more aware of the unhealthy habits in their lives and search for ways to stay and keep a healthy lifestyle. And, to achieve all these for only $90 is beyond anyone’s dreams.



© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
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