Nintendo's Wii Fit gets DoH nod

26 October 2009 12:24pm

Nintendo is to use Government branding to promote the health benefits of its latest computer exercise game.

The Wii Fit Plus is the first game to incorporate logos from the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign, which aims to get people interested in exercise and healthy eating.

Fans of the Wii use a balance board and choose from a range of activities, including yoga, hula hoop and skiing.

The Change4Life brand will be used by Nintendo online, in TV advertising, in PR material and in-store.

Leaflets and information packs promoting Change4Life will also be handed out at Nintendo events across the UK over the winter.

A further campaign in the New Year will promote Change4Life for both Wii and DS products.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "Active video games, where kids need to jump up and down or dance about as part of the game, are a great way to get kids moving more.

"Little bits of activity like this throughout the day can easily add up to the 60 active minutes kids need."

David Yarnton, general manager of Nintendo UK, said: "Our active and wellbeing titles are designed to bring fun to all the family, providing an innovative and enjoyable form of entertainment that gets everyone moving, and whilst not the whole solution, can form part of a healthy lifestyle.

"Games like Wii Fit Plus can easily fit into your daily lives, rather than making extra demands on it, which Change4life encourages families to eat well, move more, live longer."

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