Dallas, TX - Parents are no longer able to play the exercise card when it comes to video games, not with the latest endorsement from the American Heart Association (AHA). The video-game maker Nintendo is now allowed to put the AHA "heart check" logo on all Wii virtual exercise and active game systems, making a more difficult case for parents asking kids to put away the console and hop on their bikes for exercise.
The partnership between Nintendo and the AHA, which might appear strange given the obesity epidemic in the US, was announced Monday. More than 70% of Americans are completely sedentary, according to the AHA, so this latest move is designed to make exercise more accessible and fun.
The AHA heart logo, which will appear on the Nintendo Wii system, as well as video games Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort, is part of a nationwide program to let consumers know that the organization considers the system and games healthy choices. Normally, however, the heart-check seal of approval is seen on food packaging, such as Cheerios, where it shows consumers that it meets criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol.
As part of the partnership, Nintendo is donating $1.5 million to the AHA.
In an interview with ABC news, AHA president Dr Clyde Yancy (Baylor University, Houston, TX) said that Nintendo does have its share of sedentary games, but he gives the company credit for pioneering physically active gaming. "We can ignore the audience that is engaged with gaming—a huge audience—or we can find different ways of engaging that audience," Yancy said.
There are critics, however, with some questioning whether the system deserves the AHA thumbs-up and specifically questioning just how much exercise kids are going to get from these games. Dr Janet Fulton (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) told ABC news the evidence is inconclusive regarding the health benefits, particularly since "real sports" burn more calories than the video-game versions. Others questioned the endorsement of a commercial product, but Yancy told ABC news the AHA logo is not for sale and that his greater concern is not engaging the millions of inactive people in the US.
Since it came on the market in 2006, Nintendo has sold nearly 30 million Wii consoles. Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort are also top-selling games for the company, both finishing in the top five of video-game sales in 2009.
Wii is really an excellent gaming system. It is a game system that the whole family will truly enjoy.
Posted by: NCAA 11 Rosters | June 04, 2010 at 12:04 AM
Great Blog !!
We should encourage our kids to play educational games. Educational games are not only a source of entertainment for kids but also increased their learning skills and creative abilities.
Posted by: Club Penguin | April 18, 2011 at 03:50 AM