"Partnering with Gaming Companies to Promote Healthy Habits"

In my previous article titled "How Gaming is Revolutionizing Healthcare: Power of Partnership," I explored the transformative impact of gaming partnerships in the healthcare industry. Building upon that foundation, this new article will delve deeper into the specific benefits of gaming partnerships for the general consumer in healthcare. If you haven't had the chance to read the previous article, I highly recommend checking it out (don’t worry won’t charge you anything on it). Without further ado, let's embark on this exciting exploration of how gaming partnerships are positively shaping the healthcare experience for consumers.

As our society becomes increasingly sedentary and reliant on technology, healthcare providers are looking for new and innovative ways to encourage healthy habits. One area that has shown promise is partnering with gaming companies to create games that promote healthy behaviors such as exercise and healthy living. By using gaming to promote healthy habits, healthcare providers can make healthy living more fun and engaging for people of all ages.

Here are four examples of successful partnerships between healthcare providers and gaming companies:

1. "Zamzee" - Zamzee created a gamified pedometer that encourages children to stay active. It was created through a partnership between Hopelab and Kiip, a mobile gaming company. Zamzee tracks the number of steps children take throughout the day and rewards them with points that can be used to unlock games and other rewards. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, children who used Zamzee were more physically active than those who did not. If this tool isn’t available for you, I recommend taking your kids to the nearest big toy store in your area (such as Toys R Us or Toy Kingdom), and watch them zoom around the place for hours. Just be prepared to open your wallet in case they find something they want to bring home.

2. "Pokemon Go" - Pokemon Go is a wildly popular mobile game that encourages players to explore their surroundings and get exercise. The game was created by Niantic, Inc. in partnership with the The Pokémon Company International . Players use their smartphones to capture virtual creatures, and the game rewards them for walking long distances. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, Pokemon Go players increased their physical activity by an average of 1475 steps per day. Be cautious of the crowd that often gathers when a rare Pokémon is spotted in your area.

3. "Dance Dance Revolution" - Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a popular arcade game that encourages players to dance along to music. The game was created by Konami Digital Entertainment in partnership with a Japanese medical research organization called the Center for Preventive Medical and Healthcare. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, playing DDR can lead to significant increases in physical activity and improvements in cardiovascular health. I used to enjoy playing this game at the arcade and even bought the home console version. I became proficient in the song "Butterfly" but struggled to surpass the "Paranoia" stage. Recently, I came across one again and decided to invite my daughter to join me in dancing. We both had a great time, enjoyed ourselves, and had a satisfying workout in the process.

4. "The Walk" - "The Walk" is an engaging mobile game that motivates players to embark on long-distance walks while experiencing a captivating story. This game emerged from a partnership between the UK's National Health Service ( NHS ) and Six to Start , a renowned gaming company. Its primary objective is to inspire individuals to walk more and foster physical activity as a preventive measure against chronic diseases. A study conducted by the NHS revealed that players of "The Walk" augmented their physical activity by an average of 61 minutes per week. Undoubtedly, this game provides an excellent opportunity for bookworms to leave their desks, indulge in some exercise, and enjoy a refreshing change of scenery.

As the data shows, these partnerships have been highly effective in promoting healthy habits. By using gaming to encourage exercise, these partnerships are making healthy living more fun and engaging for people of all ages.

According to a survey conducted by the American Heart Association, 73% of respondents reported that gamification motivated them to make healthier choices. This data highlights the potential for gamification to have a significant impact on health behaviors.

In conclusion, it's clear that partnering with gaming companies can be a highly effective way to promote healthy habits. Whether it's through gamified pedometers like Zamzee, mobile games like Pokemon Go, or arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution, there are many ways that healthcare providers can use gaming to encourage physical activity and healthy living. As these partnerships continue to evolve, it's likely that we will see even more innovative approaches to promoting healthy habits through gaming.

While writing this article, I was reminded of the characters from the Disney movie "Wall-E," where individuals became overly reliant on technology and forgot the importance of physical activities. Let us not fall into that trap but instead harness the power of these technologies to enhance our well-being. What better way to achieve this than through gaming, which can make the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle enjoyable and engaging.

So lets get Gaming and Healthy at the same time ^_^

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