Photo courtesy of New York Times
Unalienable Fact #1: American children of this generation are amongst the most obese in global history. Unalienable Fact #2: Konami (publisher of Dance Dance Revolution) have been in the business of making games designed to get said children off their fattening asses longer than most. Taking these facts into account, it’s not too hard to believe that Konami is gearing up to host a summit on Childhood Obesity in West Virginia (one of the States with the worst statistics in regards to morbidly immobile youngsters).
The Summit will take place on July 27 and 28 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston. Representatives from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services are expected to be in attendance, as in the medical mind behind NBC’s “The Biggest Loser”, Dr. Michael Dansinger. The event, co-hosted by the West Virginia University Extension Service and West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency, will also feature the 2nd Annual School Age Dance Dance Revolution tournament.
“The popularity of Dance Dance Revolution in West Virginia is reshaping our youths’ mindset regarding what constitutes physical activity,” West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said in a statement, the State has used the game franchise in its Physical Education courses since 2006, “I am proud of the positive impact Dance Dance Revolution is having on family time with children and adults across the state.”
“This is the third tournament we’ve brought to a public school system in the U.S. and Dance Dance Revolution is being integrated into P.E. programs across the country as a result of our work,” Konami President Shinji Hirano said in a statement. “We plan to continue our push to help encourage today’s youth to lead more active and healthier lifestyles in a way that works best for them.”
(via Gamasutra)
I have liked this idea since West Virginia put DDR on their curriculum (PE should be mandatory period). I just wish Komani could make another DDR in the vein of the MAX series that didn’t have all the stupid extra directions and movements that are not needed, as well as having a good soundtrack.