Medical student looking for help.

[jt]

Hi everyone, my name is Justin and I'm a third year medical student from Perth, Western Australia. This year, we are required to do a community health research project, so some colleges and I decided to look at how computer games could be used to combat obesity.

Anyhow, after doing background research on the topic, I found myself here, which seemed like an excellent place to find more information.

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas/stories/links to good studies/opinions on how games, or DDR in particular could be used on a community level to help children with weight problems.

Thanks for your time,

Justin

[xstatic]

I can give you something later possibly tonight or tomorrow. Expect it via PM.

[DDRMom]

Just an idea -
I think it's great that you are investigating this. I am a nurse, a mom of 20-somethings and a DDR player for over 3 years, and I've often thought one thing that needs to happen is to educate Family Practice docs about these games so they have something positive and fun to recommend to kids and their parents. Get docs knowledgeable about the options for "workout modes" and tracking progress that are built into the games. They could get the kids to bring in their record scores to show off. Post scores in their office! Anything to motivate them....
Just my opinion.

[Spooty Biscuit]

As a comment, I know a fair amount of elementary schools are implementing the use of DDR in their PE programs... There's a story about something like that on getupmove.com.

[abrannan]

Yes, you'll probably want to contact RedOctane's PR department for more information on the study they did in the elementary school. It was more focused around other developmental skills and In the Groove, but there's probably some good info the can provide.