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Brit Health Service Endorses Wii Fit

First-ever video game supported by NHS

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 4:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – Turn on the boob tube and get fit. That's the message from the British National Health Service, which is endorsing Nintendo's new Wii Fit Plus video game. It's the first time ever the service has endorsed a video game and it's sure to raise criticism from some health experts, reports the Telegraph. Nintendo can use the endorsement in advertising plugging the updated game, which leads viewers through a series of exercises and goes on sale in Britain this week.

"It's a great victory for the video game industry," said a business analyst. An NHS spokesman emphasized the service was not supporting a game, but the exercise. “Active video games, where kids need to jump up and down or dance about as part of the game, are a great way to get kids moving,” he said.

Take a breath in this scene from Wii Fit.
Take a breath in this scene from Wii Fit.   (AP Photo/Nintendo)
TV personality Brooke Burke strikes a yoga pose at the Wii Fit Plus Fitness Club in West Hollywood, Calif.
TV personality Brooke Burke strikes a yoga pose at the Wii Fit Plus Fitness Club in West Hollywood, Calif.   (AP Photo/Nintendo, Casey Rodgers)
Actress Amber Stevens works out at the Wii Fit Plus Fitness Club in West Hollywood, Calif.
Actress Amber Stevens "works out" at the Wii Fit Plus Fitness Club in West Hollywood, Calif.   (AP Photo/Nintendo, Casey Rodgers)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Unaffiliated
Oct 26, 2009 11:34 AM CDT
"Turn on the boob tube and get fit." To be sure, this is not as simple as Mary Papenfuss' first sentence would indicate. Wii fit /can/ give an excellent workout. But just because you're using a Wii doesn't mean it's strenuous activity. You should see my brother play Wii Sports. He's found the smallest, most concise movements to make with the controller, but will still knock your ass to the mat in boxing.
NxBigmouthery
Oct 26, 2009 9:59 AM CDT
There was also a story recently about these sorts of products benefiting more mature-aged people. If it's helping to improve people's health and fitness, so be it. If you live in a place like Britain, though, just make sure you get outside every now and again. Wii will do you no good if you have rickets.
Netstorm2k10
Oct 26, 2009 9:20 AM CDT
Lobby, Sony? Never.

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