[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Sunday, 16 September 2007, 14:06 GMT 15:06 UK
Computer answer to child obesity
Obese child (Science Photo Library)
Rates of obesity are increasing among children
Health and fitness workers hope they have found a new way to tackle obesity in children by using a computer game to stimulate interest in exercise.

Sports promotion staff in Luton, Beds, are running trial dance mat classes, where participants follow instructions from a large screen computer.

Each mat transmits how well each pupil performs and results appear on screen.

Ian Hobdell, from the leisure and sport trust Active Luton, said those taking part are looking at exercise as fun.

"With the aid of the computer we can show visual animations backed by up-to-date music which they children recognise they can join in with their friends and make PE lessons fun.

"This creates an activity which benefits their health and puts across the message that exercise and activity should be part of their everyday life."


SEE ALSO

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Has China's housing bubble burst?
How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire
Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific