Thanks for posting that article Ande. I've heard from multiple sources that there is a severe problem these days with kids and inactivity/obesity. I think a lot of it has to do with poor quality fast food choices and playing video games IMHO of course. I admit that I myself have spent hours upon hours playing video games like World Cup Soccer and All Madden Football...so I don't want to come off as a hypocrit. I just think that a lot of the satisfaction that we normally associate with competitive sports can be simulated in these video games (that now have very realistic graphics).....As far as basketball goes, I can do things in a basketball video game that I could never possibly do in real life....Like a 360 degree slam dunk to finish off a fast break...etc....all the while chomping down tons of patato chips and other garbage foods as I perform these amazing video moves. Video games can be as competitive as real life sports too.....so that the dopamine levels in the brain can be as elevated (or higher) from kicking butt in these games as kicking butt in real life sports. I know the article you left the link for doesn't go into this particular topic exactly.....but nonetheless, I think it is part of the problem.
Another problem (I've heard) has to do with the fact that Physical Education in the schools is suffering severe budget related cutbacks these days (along with other programs like music and art). What happen to W's no child left behind philosophy there?
Newmastersswimmer
Thanks for posting that article Ande. I've heard from multiple sources that there is a severe problem these days with kids and inactivity/obesity. I think a lot of it has to do with poor quality fast food choices and playing video games IMHO of course. I admit that I myself have spent hours upon hours playing video games like World Cup Soccer and All Madden Football...so I don't want to come off as a hypocrit. I just think that a lot of the satisfaction that we normally associate with competitive sports can be simulated in these video games (that now have very realistic graphics).....As far as basketball goes, I can do things in a basketball video game that I could never possibly do in real life....Like a 360 degree slam dunk to finish off a fast break...etc....all the while chomping down tons of patato chips and other garbage foods as I perform these amazing video moves. Video games can be as competitive as real life sports too.....so that the dopamine levels in the brain can be as elevated (or higher) from kicking butt in these games as kicking butt in real life sports. I know the article you left the link for doesn't go into this particular topic exactly.....but nonetheless, I think it is part of the problem.
Another problem (I've heard) has to do with the fact that Physical Education in the schools is suffering severe budget related cutbacks these days (along with other programs like music and art). What happen to W's no child left behind philosophy there?
Newmastersswimmer
