Video Game Used to Fight Childhood Obesity

School districts around the nation have taken the fight to a new technological level by instituting programs built around the popular video game Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR. DDR is an interactive video game which uses touch sensitive foot pads and a pounding soundtrack to simulate a dance competition. Players can compete against one another or the computer, and score points based on the accuracy with which they mimic demonstrated dance moves.

Hundreds of schools in at least ten states have instituted programs based on DDR, and forecasts project that thousands of schools in all 50 states will have similar programs by the end of the decade. Students and program leaders say that DDR is a fun, interactive way to encourage regular exercise.