Gaming Makes Weight Loss Fun December 30, 2008
Posted by melmont in Uncategorized.Tags: Facebook, Humana, online gaming, social media
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This is a particularly interesting story for me, as it incorporates my interest (obesity and weight loss) with my profession (marketing). Humana has created an online gaming community, which focuses on “challenging your brain and boosting your health.”
The site has many interactive features, including a Freewheelin Cycle Challenge, where visitors can race different competitors. Winning depends on whether or not you consume the proper snacks along the way. If you do, you increase your energy level and win the race! Visitors can also challenge friends through email. There are many more interesting games to teach visitors about healthy living.
Humana has also created a Facebook application called “The Battle of the Bulge.” By using the application, you can answer questions to keep your waistline smaller and distribute fat to your friends. I found the application, but it was having trouble loading, so I didn’t get a chance to tinker with it much. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!
I’m impressed with Humana’s use of social media. The games page is very well done, and the Facebook application has 124 active monthly users and 64 fans. With so many people online these days, it’s a great way to reach a wide audience. I suggest that you try the games and the application, if you have a Facebook page. Let me know if you like these, or if there are other social media tools out there that target health education!
Hi, very insightful post. How do you think the Wii fit will effect obesity in younger kids? IT makes exercise fun! Happy New Year!
I’ve never played Wii Fit, but having just gotten a Wii with the standard sports games disc, I do have to say that it is fun! The boxing in particular can make you work up a sweat. And I think that’s the key–to make exercise fun. Kids are very much into video games and computers. By introducing them to Wii Fit and these other games, it combines a hobby (computers & games) with focused, health conscious entertainment. Hopefully, it will make a big difference in children’s obesity rates.