Teaching Kids About Obesity the DVD Way

This story about a new method to combat childhood obesity is interesting.

When it comes to battling childhood obesity, a DVD that requires kids to plop down in front of the TV might seem an unlikely weapon. But scheduled to debut this week, amid all the new Xbox and Playstation offerings, is an interactive movie that enlists viewers to rescue not planet Earth, but rather the cholesterol-riddled body of Jack Decayd, a 40-year-old overweight male with Type II diabetes.

The movie, "Escape from Obeez City," is the product of an unusual alliance between a little-known Australian start-up firm, Big Red Frog, and James Rosser, a surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr. Rosser, who weighed some 450 pounds before undergoing bariatric surgery in 2001, has gained national attention in recent years for his research on how videogame playing may enhance surgeons' skills.

I know if there is a game aspect, my son, who gives me the most problems, would be interested. I am very curious as to the content though. As this comes out of Australia, I don't think they will be pushing the travesty of the US Food Pyramid, but who knows?

If anyone gets a chance to look at it, please let me know. The big red frog website, the makers of the game, really doesn't talk about the science that underpins the movie. (And, man, do I hate Flash websites.)

Update: From Levi, in comments:

Katherine, I think you may be overly optimistic. Here's a link to Australia's Dept. of health nutrition guidelines:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm

It is very similar to the USDA food guidelines. Avoid fats, eat pleanty of cereals (although they say preferably whole grains), etc. Get ready for more indoctrination! :)

Comments

[Levi Wallach]

Katherine, I think you may be overly optimistic. Here's a link to Australia's Dept. of health nutrition guidelines: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/dietsyn.htm

It is very similar to the USDA food guidelines. Avoid fats, eat pleanty of cereals (although they say preferably whole grains), etc. Get ready for more indoctrination! :)

[Tony Findlay]

I couldnt help but respond to this site as I am the creator of the DVD project "Escape from OBEEZ CITY".

Hi there my name is Tony Findlay and my background is that I was, in a former life (haha), a military fitness instructor, then a personal trainer, fitness studio owner, then created with a colleague a first of its kind childrens active lifestyle TV show, then went into nutrition as a consultant to better provide advice to clients on fat loss exploring the relationship between hormones and their roles which culminated with my own book DIETS SUCK, which is being offered as part of our pack.

This was the basis for the project after providing advice to clients at seminars for their children which then further was developed with both medical and fitness colleagues to be the current action adventure storyline.

When it comes to fat loss I feel pretty comfortable discussing this after my years of training with a constant desire for increasing that knowledge of how bodies work - which is why I became the Body Mechanic (www.bodymechanic.com.au) my own personal website.

I hope this helps and if you go to our new websites at www.obeezcity.com or www.kidsobesitykills.com it will provide you with any relevant information.

We welcome your feedback and hope to continue the awareness of both children and their parents to the options that will provide them healthier lives.

Regards
Tony Findlay