Children today have a shorter life expectancy than their parents
for the first time in one hundred years because of the epidemic of
obesity, according to Dr. William Klish, Professor of Pediatrics and
Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine. In
addition to this frightening realization, the cost of obesity to the
economy has increased to $117 billion in direct and indirect annual
medical costs, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
Many schools and school districts that have made the paradigm shift
to a health and wellness focus in physical education have done so
with the strong support of local hospitals, doctors, public health
nurses, and other professionals in the community. |
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Why is Exergames needed?
The lifestyles of today’s youth have undergone enormous change.
Television, computers and video games have replaced many of the
physical activities children once enjoyed. So when we discuss our
children, we often hear words like ‘obesity’, ‘heart disease’, ‘high
blood pressure’ and ‘diabetes’.
Fitness seems to have taken a backseat when it comes to the modern
child. Our kids are becoming victims of inactive, unmotivated,
unhealthy lifestyles and their health is deteriorating.
Years ago, saying that video games may be a successful intervention
to decrease child obesity was met with surprised faces. As
far-fetched as it sounded, video games have become an effective
method to motivate kids to partake in physical activity. This is the
idea behind the concept of Exergaming products, a Exergames center
that combines the entertainment of video games with the health
benefits of activity, balance, hand-eye-body coordination, reaction
time and concentration.
Creative interventions like Exergames and Motion Kids have had
positive effects on the prevalence of obesity in younger
individuals. In addition, it is hoped that the participation of
adolescents in these programs will motivate older family members to
get involved in fitness, thus reducing obesity in older age groups
as well.
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