Wii Fit's Use of the Body Mass Index: Negligence or Brutal Honesty?

There is a growing epidemic in the United States of America and the world at large; obesity. Millions of children and over thirty percent of adults are affected. While some of these numbers are obviously genetic, the condition has increased over fifty percent over the last few years; a significant clue that a seriously negative change in people's lives has occurred. Fortunately all is not lost. Many programs are currently active to educate the American public about how to help themselves and reverse the trend. Corporations have even jumped on board to profit from people's desire to better themselves by making available alternative diets and changing some ingredients in popular foods. Even game companies have taken a step forward to help increase physical activity in the home.

It may have come as a sock to some when a father publicly announced that Nintendo's Wii Fit might have permanently scarred his daughter's self image and obesity "experts" made demands that Nintendo place a warning on the product that it is unsuitable for children, siting examples of anorexics that had fell prey to society's unrealistic, ultra slim standards.

At the crux of the matter is Nintendo's use of the Body Mass Index (BMI) in the Wii Fit which lets the user see where they stand against standard health recommendations. Granted, the BMI is not all-inclusive; some people are naturally larger or more solid and are just as healthy as any doctor could hope for. However, the BMI is the standard tool by which health professionals determine if a person is unhealthy; there are additional tools to further ascertain a person's weight health if an individual appears to be an exception to the rule.

If a parent has an issue with the BMI results of their child, it is not difficult to seek a more professional opinion, as they should. Fitness experts have suggested that children should be encouraged to participate in a variety of physical activities to maintain healthy growth; although if starting weight-lifting at a young age, a child should be monitored and introduced to a proper routine adjusted for a young, undeveloped body. Or, a parent could simply tell their child not to worry about the BMI until they are older.

Many voices have come out since obesity was determined to be an epidemic. From those who are afraid too much emphasis on weight leads to anorexia to those who believe fat is beautiful; both are dangerously unhealthy. Then there are the voices that say any negativity placed on a child is harmful to their self image and leads to depression and possible suicide; in some cases this may be true, but then, some people are large and healthy, there are exceptions to every rule after all.

In an America that spends too much time sitting in front of the T.V., Nintendo's Wii Fit is positive step in the right direction to getting people moving again. As for the BMI, it may be rude, but chances are it's being honest. If parents just talk to their children and get a second opinion if needed, there won't be any problems, communication is the key; however, lack of communication in the home is another issue all together.

http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-566754/Obesity-experts-condemn-Nintendos-Wii-Fit-game-tells-10-year-old-girl-shes-fat.html

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/obesity.htm

http://missourifamilies.org/FEATURES/NUTRITIONARTICLES/fit4.htm