The crisis of today's kids facing obesity is a daily issue some of us have to contend with. As you're reading this, maybe your own kid or sibling is down in the living room, with butt firmly glued to the sofa, and staring right at the TV set. We don't need Captain Obvious to tell us that kids these days (that includes kids of all ages, 1 to 92) need exercise in their lives.

With this, the exergaming project was launched. The results of the 24-week gaming-exercise project have finally been revealed by Konami. Surprise of all surprises, you do lose weight with exercise-friendly games, more specifically something like Dance Dance Revolution.

Test subjects in the project were required to play DDR for at least 30 minutes each day, five times a week. The factors that West Virginia University (the guys administering the tests) monitored weight, blood pressure, body mass index, arterial function, fitness levels and attitudes towards exercise among the kids.

Results? The found out that the DDR workout had improved their general health and reduced risks for lifestyle-related diseases. They now have evidence that, if kept consistent, playing the game improves arterial function and blood flow among the overweight children. Not that all the test subjects they had lost weight, however, what's important is that none of them gained any.

What's interesting here, though, is what some would call the "non-quantifiable" results (data that can't be measured in numbers and figures). They've observed that, after the testing period, some of the participants which have felt awkward about exercising before now actually have confidence in continuing their battle against obesity. They've exhibited a new desire to maintain their health regiment.

"No pain, no gain," or so they say. Get the dance mat out, and time to bust a groove!