New research shows computer games can influence kids’ food choices toward healthy snacks and help counteract the obesity epidemic. And that’s exactly what Coach Pete Carroll is working to achieve with his new Online Game for kids: CampPete.com.

Referring to similar games tested in the JAMA study, Drs. Tiffany A. Pempek and Sandra L Calvert found that “This kind of social marketing approach could tip the scales toward the selection of higher quality snacks, thereby helping to curb the obesity epidemic”. The study, published in the July issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that children who played a health-biased game were significantly more likely to select and eat healthier snacks than kids who played a game without healthy-stimuli.

The study suggests that health-focused online games such as Coach Pete Carroll’s CampPete.com are a cost-effective method to help address nutrition and obesity. Inside CampPete.com there are dozens of games and videos that encourage healthy eating, exercise and proper hydration.

Inside the web site, kids can customize their own football player then explore a massive sports fantasy land. It’s a lot of fun for kids but has also been called a “healthy video game” because kids can actually earn points INSIDE the game for exercise they do in REAL LIFE!

For more information about the JAMA study please see “Tipping the Balance: Use of Advergames to Promote Consumption of Nutritious Foods and Beverages by Low-Income African American Children.”  Full Version Available here: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/163/7/633?home