Home Gaming Video Games are NOT the Reason Your Children are Chunky

Video Games are NOT the Reason Your Children are Chunky

1 min read
8

Fatkid

For years now, video games – a mostly sedentary activity – have been cited as one of the reasons for the increase in childhood obesity. Kids are getting fat, and videogames are to blame; even the World Health Organisation says so. Only it’s not true.

A new study of US schoolchildren suggests that while they likely don’t help, games are not a driving factor behind your portly progeny packing on the pounds.

The study examined a group of 12-year-old children for a lengthy 3 year period. during this period, researchers kept tabs of their internet, mobile phone and video game use; and kept track of their scholastic achievements, height, weight, race and social standing. Their reading, mathematics, visuo-spatial recognition (Hand-eye co-ordination) and self-esteem were also charted.

The researchers found that though the children played more games than they used the internet or mobile phones, that didn’t have much bearing on their girth. Instead age, race and socioeconomic status were the biggest factors in predicting juvenile adiposity. That doesn’t give video games a free pass though; while games did lead to greater hand eye co-ordination, they also lead to lower academic achievement and a lower self esteem. Probably because douchebags on Xbox Live have been calling them fat.

For the record, This is why you’re fat.

Source : New Scientist

Last Updated: January 21, 2011

8 Comments

  1. James Richard Lenoir

    January 21, 2011 at 12:53

    Holy cow, that kid has Popeye-level forearms!

    Reply

  2. DieJason

    January 21, 2011 at 13:39

    Should have left that image for this afternoon’s ION, look at the pair on that kid! 😛

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      January 21, 2011 at 13:46

      It does highlight society’s hypocrisy. That’s socially acceptable, but a chick pulls her rack out and it’s obscene. Pffft..people.

      Reply

  3. Talk2jad

    January 21, 2011 at 14:08

    nice boobs

    Reply

  4. Generic ZA

    January 21, 2011 at 14:39

    Like the fact that there are more comments on the picture than Geoffs commentary

    Reply

  5. Rez61

    January 21, 2011 at 15:11

    By the comments the picture is missing a Pedobear

    Reply

  6. Pseudonaja

    January 24, 2011 at 11:31

    They kept track of their race? As if it would change?

    Reply

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