Can Video Games Actually Benefit Your Kids' Health? - East Idaho News

Can Video Games Actually Benefit Your Kids’ Health?

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Getty 022712 BoyPlayingWii?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1330374585512Stuart Pearce/Getty Images(HOUSTON) — Do video games that encourage kids to get up and move really benefit children’s overall health?

According to a study out of the Baylor College of Medicine, children who were given Nintendo Wii video games that prompted some physical activity – ones that require players to simulate the movements they would otherwise control with a standard handheld device – exerted little to no more energy than those who were given inactive games.

“This probably was just taking up time that they would have been physically active somewhere else,” said Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News’ senior health and medical editor, who was not involved in the study.

“There’s been some thought [that these types of games] might be an approach to getting kids up off the couch,” Besser said. “Unfortunately, what this study found was that active video gaming provided no more physical activity for children across their day then giving them an inactive video game.”

It is recommended that children get one hour of physical activity every day, Besser says, “and we’re just not seeing that happen.”

“We have to look at creative solutions,” he said. “But it doesn’t appear that video gaming is the way to go.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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