It's been called an epidemic. Kids are becoming overweight -- even dangerously obese -- at a higher rate than ever, often because they're choosing video games over exercise. A recent survey shows the average child plays 13 hours of video games per week. But now there's a new approach to childhood fitness that's combining the two with encouraging results.
"I love them. I'm obsessed with video games," gamer Joey Peel told Ivanhoe.
Peel is a dedicated gamer. He's far from alone. A national survey shows 99 percent of boys and 94 percent of girls spend at least some of their time playing video games.
"My mom always gets upset with me," Peel said. "She says, 'Go outside. Go play!'"
One out of three kids in the U.S. is now considered overweight or obese, but a new generation of video games is making kids jump, punch and kick their way to fitness. It's called exergaming.
"They're more inclined to participate in these activities," Lisa Hansen, an exergaming researcher at the University of South Florida in Tampa, said.
The average heart rate for this Trazer game is about 188. Jumping rope is only 110.
"You don't really notice that you're working out when you actually 
really are," Hannah, a young player, said.
A hop, skip and jump towards healthier kids.
A growing list of schools and gyms are installing exergames and video fitness machines. Students in Tampa just started using them as part of their regular PhysEd program. Other video games that give great exercise are Dance Dance Revolution and Wii sports
