Nintendo Wii, and the American Heart Association?
Posted: Monday, May 17, 2010
by James Bond
http://www.jamesandjanka.com/
" The American Heart Association (AHA) has given its seal of approval to Nintendos Wii, Wii Fit Plus, and Wii Sports Resort. "
Web MD 05172010
One bright ingrained memory of my childhood is of my brothers and I receiving our Atari 2600. Most joyous was the fact that I could actually play Pac-man at home. Albeit a slightly less advanced version of Pac-man but I was eating dots and chasing monsters. Back then video games were marketed as improving hand and eye coordination.
The video game they brought for my brothers and I was strictly for our entertainment. We enjoyed it like other toys and my baby brother still has and occasionally plays that same game.
I am not against video games but I am against them as being marketed as exercise. I am against the American Heart Association becoming a part of that marketing campaign. Have video games changed so much that they should be considered heart healthy activity? Am I confused about what the American Heart Association really stands for?
In 2010 I wonder how this union is even possible. With the lowest state childhood obesity rate being 19% and the highest 44%, I can think of no reason a video game should receive the American Heart Associations endorsement. I realize I am implying a link to video games and obesity that I have not yet proved so I am going to lay off the statistics and ask a few more relevant questions.
What research did the American Heart Association conduct or review to warrant this decision? What links to the Wii video game system and heart health have been proven to warrant this endorsement? What case did this Multinational Corporation present to demonstrate that they were true, positive, committed, and heroic (the attributes the brand is suppose to stand for)? Perhaps, when we consider the Wiis individual games they live up to two out of three of those but when framed in the vision of those the American Heart Association claims to represent, a vision of an optimistic, healthier, and empowering future this move does not make sense. Brand Guidelines found at website.
Clyde Yancy president of the AHA is quoted in Business Week as saying " We can keep beating the drum on traditional exercise and make small changes to the obesity epidemic, or we can try something that is really provocative and new " . Such a choice I can respect, you know what would have been provocative and new? If you told Mr. Iwata to invest that 1.5 million dollar gift into building some terrestrial representations of his games where kids could go and physically attempt some task of classic games. Maybe they could provide a financial comment to run terrestrial leagues in the same sports as the videos they sale. That said my best friend is a personal trainer and my wife and I provide intimacy and communication services to couples, how big would our gift have to be to receive your brand?
" The benefit these games give to the cardiovascular health of the bulk of its target market is the equivalent of putting a tomato slice on a double cheeseburger. "
-Wyatt-
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More commentsGreat article. Well done.I've used this Wii fit a few times and I don't think it is all that good in terms of excerise. For example compare one hour on this with one hour running outside. However, it is a marked improvement over sitting on the sofa with a controller. My stance is that it is better but not brilliant.Thanks Conner,I read you, and I am trying to believe that is truly where the AHA was at.
Your article reminded me of a comic strip by Gary Larsen, "The Far Side." Two loving parents were watching their child play video games and a thought balloon from both mom and dad was filled with a page from the Help Wanted ads promising tons of cash for those who could "rescue the Princess."I suspect there is some sort of endorsement fee or honorarium involved here.Yeah they got $1.5 million. I wonder if Yancy gets a bonus out of that?
James thanks for this great article. It's scary how shamelessly big money will manipulate the vulnerable.Thanks for reading Jennifer.
Balance is needed as you pointed out. Great article.Thank you Marijo.
James-I found this very interesting! I agree that the AHA should really be concentrating more on educating people on heart health. But in the video game makers defense, I do have a ton of friends who do the Wii Fit and say that it is working with them. I think today every American is looking for a quick fix to actual healthy living. I agree kids need to just get outside like the good days! Thanks for sharing this news! I had not heard about it!Whoa...thanks for reading Laura...I will have a readership like you someday!
Hello James,I'd have to say I disagree with you on this one. If it were any other platform I would agree and wonder why the AHA would endorse it. However, if you have ever played certain Wii games, you would realize that they can really get your heart pumping and you can get a work out from it. Now, most games are purely for entertainment and any physical exercise is a fringe benefit, but Nintendo does have games out there that specifically help people exercise. Wii Sports, the game that comes with the Wii, is a good example. I used to play the boxing game regularly and I would work up a sweat doing so. It's constant movement and it actually functions as an aerobic exercise. Also, Wii Fit is another great example. I've started using that as a source of daily exercise and I have lost 5 pounds in a week and a half, just by adding that regular exercise to my routine. I am incredibly demotivated to work out with traditional methods such as treadmills, jogging, going to the gym, etc. Wii Fit actually keeps me motivated enough to make it a habit. Perhaps this isn't true for everyone, but I know I, for one, am leading a healthier lifestyle because of my Nintendo Wii.Thanks for that Matt, I read you loud and clear. I am glad you are living a more healthy lifestyle and that the Wii is a part of it.I guess I am stuck in a place where this is a toy marketed to the young and I really think to be properly stimulated younger people need more than these games can offer. That said I will admit I haven't played a lot of games on the system. I imagine some games are more involved then others. Thanks for reading and I will have to try this boxing.
Upon reading your article I immediately started wondering if kids still played outside because I hardly ever see them in our neighbor hood. Seems that something has gotten lost along the way, even thought their have been many improvements. I'll have to check out the Y. The Wii can be fill but they can not take the place of good old physical exercise. Thanks for sharing James.Thanks for reading and commenting Linda. You know I never see kids really playing in my neighborhood either. I do have a park by my house and sometimes when I go to read there may be a football game or a couple of people throwing a frisbee but not many people at all considering the density of our neighborhood. I am going to ask some of my students what their younger siblings do for recreation.Responses should be interesting. My granddaughters, ages 9 & 14, do gymnastics, play soccer, the oldest is a cheer leader, and because of the heat here they use the wii a lot in the summer. They do have some physical games on their wii, dancing and exercises, but their folks keep them active and involved.Good luck on your trek.
Well, I do believe that Wii Fit provides as much exercises as going to the gym for fitness practice. Motives aside, Wii Fit is a very accessible way to start doing soft physical training. You can't possible ask someone who is overweighed to run without considering serious damaging risks!If you are referring to those already out of shape then I agree with you David. Thanks for reading and commenting. The advertisments I have seen though mostly include healthy families and their tennis, golf, and bowling games. That machine doesn't provide the equalivant calorie burn or cardiovascular workout that you would get participating in the actual sports. Rolling a bowling ball of any wieght definitely gives you more exercise then moving that controller same with a racket or club.
Have you SEEN most children lately? Any exercise is good for these kids (and, quite frankly, most adults).I disagree that any exercise is good for them. In my opinion waving a remote and taking 2 steps in burst is not exercise. Having the AHA say it is to me is a crime. If you are saying it is better than nothing I can understand that. Thanks for reading William. I guess the AHA agrees more with your stance than mine.
An interesting article - you have highlighted some interesting view points that I think other will agree with.
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