Virtual Reality And Obesity: A Possible Solution?
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Virtual Reality And Obesity: A Possible Solution?

Get up off the couch and play your video games

12
Virtual Reality And Obesity: A Possible Solution?
https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/

Video games have had a pretty bad reputation over the years of harming the mental and physical health of those who play. From an increase in aggressive behavior to higher levels of obesity due to several factors including video games, gamers have stereotypically been seen as heavy, aggressive men who hide out in their dark basements all day, glued to their televisions.

However, in recent years, that stereotypical view has started to change, and playing video games isn’t seen as such a bad thing anymore. Systems like the Wii have also made getting up and being more active while playing video games more of the norm, helping to change the views of the gamer as being lazy. There’s even the Wii Fit that has a board that players can do several different exercises on, such as yoga, and the board measures your activity levels as well as your BMI and other health stats.

With the introduction of several different virtual reality systems comes the possibility for more active gameplay. In this case, I don’t mean active as in active within the game, playing as your character, but active in the sense that the player has to be up off the couch, running around this virtual world to get to where they need to be. While some virtual reality systems just have the goggles that immerse the player in the virtual world, more systems are being released that provide the “full experience” you could say.

These systems have the player on a treadmill of sorts, attached at the hip to an outer ring that keeps the player from walking off or falling off of the treadmill. This rings also allows the player to swivel and turn their whole body in reaction to whatever they’re seeing in the game. The player has to run and walk on the treadmill to make their player in the game move forward, forcing the player to get up off their couch and interact with the game in a much more “real world” way.

In forcing the player to get up off the couch, virtual reality could definitely help battle this stigma surrounding video games of being an inactive and lazy activity. While being more fun because you’re basically in the game, and also forcing the player to be more active, virtual reality, once made more mainstream and affordable, could definitely be the next step in more active and healthy gameplay.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47668
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30211
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954271
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

171448
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments