OK, so you can’t talk your 10-year-old into signing up for soccer, gymnastics or even horseshoes. (Though this could be indicative that you have bigger problems than your child’s weight.) Thankfully, it’s still possible to introduce the concept of physical activity to your children on their terms. A study published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine describes the difference between various video games and concludes that some of them could help a youngster shape up.

The study, from researchers at the Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, found that children burn more than four times as many calories per minute playing an active video game than playing a seated game, and that heart rate is much higher with the active game. The video game obsession among children coupled with growing rates of childhood obesity have concerned parents and health professionals for years, but the advent of the exercise video game might be a trend everyone can get behind.

Source: LA Times