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Obesity expert calls for children to be banned from playing Wii Fit

May 16, 2008 in News comments 18

The story of a ten-year-old girl who was left 'devastated' when Wii Fit labelled her 'overweight' caused shockwaves throughout the gaming community recently, and now an obesity expert has, following the news, called for children to be banned from playing the game.

Speaking to British newspaper the Daily Mail, an "aghast" Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum called for children to be banned from playing Wii Fit.
shuandrew via wiifitchat.blogspot.com »
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Most recently commented on by on May 18, 2008

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  • 2
    Donnelly May 16, 08
    It's from the Daily Mail. They're well known for trying to stir up controversy on these new fangled video games.

    They'll try and compare it to GTA if the they thought it'd sell papers.
  • 2
    Aggro May 16, 08
    So what if it said the kid is overweight, it's probably the truth. The kid should hear it from somewhere, maybe it'll motivate her to get off her fat ass and do some exercise.
  • 5
    Play ISDF May 16, 08
    I call for a ban on obesity experts making opinions on games and game related stuff!
  • 3
    Miss Razz May 16, 08
    quote
    The story of a ten-year-old girl who was left 'devastated' when Wii Fit labelled her 'overweight' caused shockwaves throughout the gaming community recently
    There were shockwaves?

    Anyways, I thought we'd all agreed that BMI isn't the most accurate way of testing a person's obesity and/or the girl was just a fattie and her parents were in denial. (the stepfather did describe his daughter as "solidly built" which isn't much different than a parent saying "you're not fat - just big boned")

    Instead of kicking up a fuss about it (a fuss which the media now knows about), the parents should have taken the girl to the doctor to get a professional BMI test and an assurance that she truly is healthy. And if she isn't, then they should adjust her diet and exercise. Y'know - act like parents!
    It's yet another story about parents kicking up a fuss about video-games instead of looking at their parenting skills instead. Maybe their daughter is overweight - maybe they should get it checked out first, rather than bitching about it.

    Either way, I'm pretty "meh" about the whole issue. Maybe if there is some controversy around the Wii Fit/Balance Board, Miyamoto might get stop making silly peripherals and just stick to making good games.
    Stop trying to impress young kids' parents, and focus on your fans instead, Miyamoto! At least if you make another decent Mario game, parents won't have reasons to whine at you.
    • 1
      Aggro May 16, 08
      From what I've learned by obtaining my Kinesiology degree, BMI is actually pretty good for measuring obesity in children. It's when you have people with a lot of muscle weight that it becomes misleading.
  • 5
    Sonic Flash May 16, 08
    "Parents don't make sure children know to filter and think about content they see in a video game, news at 11"

    Oldest news in the world. Parents are dumb as hell now.
  • -1
    intrepion May 16, 08
    ... because they'll be out of a job!
  • 0
    ryu750 May 16, 08
    WOW again lets hide the truth from our kids.. YOU FAT.. IF YOUR FAT YOUR FAT...
  • 0
    DusktoDawn May 16, 08
    Who cares if you are fat?
    • -4
      Armed Rebel May 17, 08
      I do. I'm sick of fat people infecting my country.
    • 0
      Zeon I May 18, 08
      Aparently this obesity expert guy.
  • 0
    Twisted May 16, 08
    This is *bleep*ing bullshit. It is a game, who cares if it calls you fat or not. I mean honestly, ban it from kids because it will call them fat?
  • 1
    tracemastax May 17, 08
    quote
    I do. I'm sick of fat people infecting my country.
    but they fuel that fast food industry making it easy for us teenagers to get a job, aside from a local supermarket.
  • 0
    StarJet May 17, 08
    Being overweight is bad, but knowing that you're overweight isn't something that should cause you to flip out. I knew that I was overweight since I was in the 6th grade.
  • -1
    Final Blade May 17, 08
    Being overweight isn't as bad as being Obese. Overweight could be up to a few pounds to maybe 15. Obese is 20+

    So they shouldn't worry what a game says, its just a stupid thing. Well The only problem i have with overweight people to Obese is they blame the fastfood restaurants that they're fat, rather than realizing they're the ones buying the food. Money doesn't buy its own food, these people try to scapegoat the issues rather than trying to stop eating there.
    Its assholes like them that got rid of McDonalds super size menu...
  • 0
    S H E P E R D May 17, 08
    It'll be funny when the lawsuit backfires when they have to actually weigh the child. That'd be one hell of a kodak moment.
  • 1
    Distortion May 18, 08
    Stupid sensitive kids.

    They need to toughen up. And the media certainly isn't doing anything to help using words like "devastated" and "aghast". >_>
  • 1
    Wilbz May 18, 08
    Isn't the game about trying to become more fitter. When you get the game you will obviously be told your weight so expect the unexpected.

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