No computer games for Christmas

December 22, 2006 12:00
Article from: AAP

Telegraph

LEAVE the interactive computer games out of the Christmas stocking and buy a cricket bat instead, doctors said today.

The Australian Medical Association has slammed computer games that promise to tackle childhood obesity as a fad and marketing gone mad.

The "gamercize" products, which include step machines and stationary bikes that can be hooked up to Playstations and other game consoles, force children to exercise if they want to play.

AMA president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said they were more likely to reinforce exercise-unfriendly behaviour.

"Opportunities for physical activity shouldn't be determined by access to a game console or a plasma screen TV," Dr Haikerwal said in Australian Medicine magazine.

"And, in reality, the short game play wouldn't be burning too many calories anyway."

Dr Haikerwal said playing old fashioned games with a ball and bat in the backyard or park are of far more benefit to battling obesity.

They also showed kids that fitness and health could be fun, he said.

"My advice is to keep computer games as a treat and to dismiss them completely as any substitute for exercise or tool for battling bulging waistlines," he said.