The Product:
The Nintendo Wii Fit, a video gaming device that many hope will encourage physical activity for kids.The Rationale Behind the Wii Fit:
As long as kids are going to play video games, why shouldn't they get some exercise out of it? It seems to be a reasonable way to think, given the huge popularity of gaming.The Problem (Providing BMI Data):
The Wii Fit spits out BMI (body mass index) data for players who enter their height and weight, and then classifies them as in a normal range, "overweight," or "obese." But healthy BMI ranges for kids are different from those for adults. If a BMI calculator does not properly distinguish among different ages, it will lump some into wrong BMI categories.The Results:
Imagine your ten-year-old son or daughter cruising into the room saying, "The Wii told me I'm fat. I want to go on a diet." It's already happened.
Unfortunately, some parents will react with, "I'm glad you see the problem! Let me help you start your diet." Kids need good examples for healthy eating, but dieting can lead to a pattern of weight loss and weight gain that results in poorer physical and mental health. Plus, the focus on body shape at such a young age sets kids up for shame.
A Better Reaction to A Child's Desire to Diet:
It's a great time to understand your daughter's (or son's) perspective on how you view her. Be willing to ask her if she thinks you see her as overweight. Even more importantly, ask her what she believes you think about your own body. This will tell you whether you're setting a healthy tone with food and body image in your home.
