When video games were made available to consumers and introduced into homes, they were intended to serve entertainment purposes. Unfortunately, since the evolution of the game, a new objective has been achieved. A survey conducted by the company Game Spot concluded that gamers in the United States spent more than 13 hours playing video games per week. Although current gaming systems can help improve motor skills, there are many problems associated with excessive video gaming. It is clear that this new wave of video games is having a negative effect on young people. Among these problems is obesity. Many activities that should be enjoyed outdoors, through play, have now been modified by a remote control and sensor. In my own home I saw how video games could become a young boy's obsession, my mother would insist that my brother go outside and play and he would beg to stay inside to play video games. Luckily for him, obesity was never a problem. According to the American Obesity Association, more than 30 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are overweight and more than 15 percent are obese. Adolescents aged 12 to 19 show similar statistics. Studies have shown that obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. For example, one study shows that about 80 percent of overweight children between the ages of 10 and 15 were obese adults by age 25. (childhood obesity and video games) Where do video games fit into this picture? A significant part of a child's life is spent playing video games and sitting in front of the television. Health professionals have determined that a large number of children are influenced by an obsession with gaming, which leads to a lack of physical activity. When children play video games... middle of paper... significantly corrupts their lives. Additionally, wasting hours a week playing video games endangers an individual's chances of realizing their full potential. Anyone with the intelligence and talent to become a future presidential candidate may have to settle down as a regular PE teacher because they wasted too much time playing in their youth. This waste of talent not only harms the individual, but also society as a whole. Works Cited Alan W, Ridegfield. video game addiction. April 19, 2011. Excessive gaming. .childhood obesity and video games. February 2, 2011. April 28, 2011. Violence and video games. May 30 2011 .