Can Playing Video Games Help You Lose Weight?

Traditional video game playing has been associated with weight gain simply for the fact that it is predominantly a sedentary activity. Coupled with this is a multitude of technologies all designed to make life easier, thus necessitating less physical involvement in day-to-day activities. The result is a less physically active population that is being increasingly afflicted with excess weight and obesity, conditions that are contributing to the general degradation of the health of the North American population. With the advent of interactive video games, also called egames or exergames, the trend might have a chance to reverse itself.

In fact, exergames have been proposed as a viable alternative in some cases to traditional exercise. The real question, however, is if these kinds of activities actually measure up to what is considered the minimum level of physical activity necessary to have an impact on health parameters.

Health and wellness organizations like the American Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine have established guidelines for physical activity that propose benefits associated with thirty minutes of physical activity, five times per week. This is with the goal of burning a minimum of one thousand calories per week.

Some exergames have been shown to meet the minimum established guidelines for effective moderate physical activity for health benefits, from children to older and elderly adults. Exergaming may also offset the loss of trunk muscle strength that is thought to manifest itself with the sedentary lifestyle that non-active screen time encourages.

In addition, while not always confirmed in the research, or possibly dependent on the mode of play, the caloric expenditure associated with those types of interactive games coupled with a restriction in caloric intake, in a cumulative fashion, might help in weight loss and maintenance, especially in children with less than active lifestyles. In fact, one thousand extra calories burned each week can be enough to encourage the loss of almost fifteen pounds in a year.

So, what makes the exergames option so attractive? Very simple: those types of light-to-moderate activities have a high level of pleasurable appeal associated with them, with band and game-themed aerobic games seemingly generating more enjoyment than exercise-themed aerobic games. People who play interactive games are so caught up in the challenge and the visually exciting aspects of the on-screen images that they forget that they are performing physical activity. The exercise is simply fun, which is a key characteristic. If the exergame activity is fun, it's less of a chore and more likely to be employed as a pastime or as part of a regular physical conditioning program.

Coupled with the pleasure factor is the wide variety of game options that one can take advantage of. As such, the boredom factor is much less of an issue to deal with.
Adding to the fun of exergames is the advent of motion-capture technology that places the user virtually into the action on the screen. This supplies another level of experience, thus keeping the user more engrossed in the game and less aware that a physical effort is being made.

While a sedentary lifestyle is not easy to overcome, and the energy expenditure might not be the same as performing real world sports or training in a fitness center, exergaming is increasingly becoming a viable component of a regular fitness and wellness program for multiple age groups.

In the end, it sure beats training only the thumbs.


Daniel Eamer is a professional personal trainer, author, speaker, and fitness blogger. He is the author of two books: The Fat Burner Secrets and The Muscle Builder Secrets. Visit Dan's website at http://www.danieleamer.com to download the first two chapters of his ebooks for free.

Disclaimer: This article is written as a source of information only and should by no means be considered a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before beginning any new diet, nutritional supplement usage, exercise program, or any other health program. Scientific references for this article can be viewed on Dan's blog page. Daniel Eamer is not affiliated with or sponsored by any supplement company and does not endorse any supplement product or brand.

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