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Obesity expert in a huff over Wii Fit

by Steven Williamson on 16 May 2008, 16:00

Tags: WiiFit, Nintendo (TYO:7974), Wii, Simulation

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Millions of kids across the world are currently getting fit and having fun with Nintendo's recently released videogame, Wii Fit, but could the title be sending out the wrong message to our children?

There has been some complaints, including an issue that was recently brought up in the Daily Mail, stating that the game could make kids paranoid about their weight when there's absolutely no cause for concern.

The latest person to jump on the back of Nintendo is the National Obesity Forum, who are not too happy that the game uses the BMI (body mass index) calculation to give children advice on weight loss. Tam Fry believes that using this method is totally unsuitable.

“I’m absolutely aghast that children are being told they are fat. BMI is far from perfect but with children it simply should not be used. A child’s BMI can change every month and it is perfectly possible for a child to be stocky, yet still very fit. I would be very concerned if children were using this game and I believe it should carry a warning for parents, " he said.

Nintendo has said that they won't be issuing a warning on the product.


HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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And there's me thinking encouraging exercise was a good thing :rolleyes:
educatedfool
And there's me thinking encouraging exercise was a good thing :rolleyes:

It must be true the article was printed in that paragon of sensible debate and measured responce the Daily Mail!

FFS is it any wonder people get a bad body image when all the papers/magazines/tv shows are calling 6st celebs fat.
So wii fit won't give me a 6 pack :surprised:
my wii fit is coming tomorrow, guess i'll be fat forever
Uhm if your BMI says you're overwight then you are overweight, seems simple to me. If you are overweight then you should know about it and do something about it, so surely this is a good thing.