May 16th, 2008
Obesity expert is ‘aghast’ by Wii Fit
Following recent reports that supposedly perfectly healthy child was labelled overweight by Wii Fit, an individual from the National Obesity Forum has spoken to condemn the game. He remarks that a BMI measurement is misleading when used with children.
“I’m absolutely aghast that children are being told they are fat,” comments Tam Fry. “BMI is far from perfect but with children it simply should not be used. A child’s BMI can change every month and it is perfectly possible for a child to be stocky, yet still very fit. I would be very concerned if children were using this game and I believe it should carry a warning for parents.”
Nintendo has reportedly said today it would not be placing a warning on the game, but did apologise for any offence caused.
“Nintendo would like to apologise to any customers offended by the in-game terminology used to classify a player’s current BMI status, as part of the BMI measurement system integrated into Wii Fit,” commented a Ninty spokesman.
Matt
May 16th, 2008
Get ouuut… Fat kids are a wrong that needs righting.
Sean
May 16th, 2008
To be fair, the BMI thing is a bit wrong. Entirely healthy people with a lot of muscle can be rated ‘overweight’ according to the BMI scale.
But yes. Fat kids. SORT IT OUT.
Manuel
May 16th, 2008
The guy from the National Obesity Forum , must understand that the BMI scale is calculated based on your height, for example a person of 1,66 meters of height, for a healthy conditiond must be weight something between 60 and 66 Kg or 132 and 145 pounds, no matter if you are a muscle type of guy, you are overweight it,
The doctor calculated the peoples condition with the same formula, your height indicates how much you should be weigthing for a healthy Mass body
Untamo
May 16th, 2008
“The guy from the National Obesity Forum , must understand that the BMI scale is calculated based on your height, for example a person of 1,66 meters of height, for a healthy conditiond must be weight something between 60 and 66 Kg or 132 and 145 pounds, no matter if you are a muscle type of guy, you are overweight it,
The doctor calculated the peoples condition with the same formula, your height indicates how much you should be weigthing for a healthy Mass body”
It has been proven several times that BMI doesn’t work every time. If you have lots muscles BMI tells always that you are overweight, even if you wouldn’t have much body fat. Many athletes are for example misslabeled as overweight. Also, BMI doesn’t work very well children.
Btw. Muscles weight more than fat.
Monkey Rimmer
May 16th, 2008
I’m a bit on the large side. Ok, I’m a bit porky, WiiFit said I was obese. Did I break down and cry? No. Did I go in a strop? No. I pissed myself laughing as my Mii grew into a lard-arse!
Why are people so hung up on being overweight/obese? Jeez… get a grip! It’s a bloody game!! Wait till the yanks start pounding on the Fitness Board, we’ll get law suites galore no doubt!
Graham Northfield
May 16th, 2008
Surely a “game” aimed at getting whole families more active should be applauded? True, I thought it a little off when my 12 year old neice was considered overweight, but it has made her think about the amount of rubbish she eats and the exercise she doesn’t do.
But I suspect the fatties out there haven’t got one of these anyway - probably couldn’t be bothered to walk down to the shops
Matt
May 16th, 2008
“Why are people so hung up on being overweight/obese?”
Because fat people aren’t nice to look at!
Onizuka
May 16th, 2008
I cringe when I look at myself lol!
Like Monkey said, I laughed when my Mii turned into a lard ass. But I have been doing WiiFit along with my diet that I’m doing and I have lost 4lbs over 3 weeks ^_^ I was quite chuffed
To get offended at a game, or any form of entertainment is a bit meh :/
Sean
May 16th, 2008
Heh, to be fair, most games don’t call you fat, based on actual evidence they’ve just gathered. But yeah, you’d think people could be more positive about it , and say “well, fine, but I just spent 70 quid on this to lose weight. BRING IT ON.”
LT
May 16th, 2008
Obesity? What is that? Isn’t it some disease that shouldn’t be classified as a disease to make lazy fat people feel better about them selves?
Ryan
May 16th, 2008
you know what? if the kid is american, statistics show that he’s probably fat… so get over it. It’s embarrassing that America is the most overweight country in the world and now we have one of the heads for obesity throwing a fit? Who f%$ing cares
bob
May 17th, 2008
onizuka, a diet and a weigh scale would do exactly the same thing!
i can practically assure you that the wii fit did nothing to make you lose that weight, it will all be the diet. but nintendos propaganda has done a good job to convince you
Sean
May 17th, 2008
Have you played WiiFit, bob? The beads of sweat running down my face and the fact my muscles ache the day after suggest to me that it is pretty good exercise.
Monkey Rimmer
May 19th, 2008
I agree Sean…. the Mrs and I were knackered after a session on it…. and because I’d had fun I didn’t hate it!