Videogames keep diabetic kids healthy

Gaming News

By Stevie Smith Dec 7, 2007, 7:04 GMT

No, our beloved electronic pastime has not suddenly developed mysterious powers of healing, but it is safe to say that the irresistible draw of videogames is certainly playing an active part in making sure than sick children remain as fit and healthy as they can. Glucoboy helps diabetic kids maintain health by rewarding them with videogames in return for balanced blood tests. Credit: Glucoboy.

Glucoboy helps diabetic kids maintain health by rewarding them with videogames in return for balanced blood tests. Credit: Glucoboy.More pointedly, while Nintendo’s eagerly anticipated Wii Fit system is stoking the fires of intrigue everywhere it goes in a bid to help flabby couch potatos burn calories while engaged in ‘fun-filled’ interactive exercise, the snappily titled Glucoboy is also treading an equally worthy path.The diminutive Glucoboy is described by its makers as: "the first blood glucose meter that has been designed specially for kids, adolescents and the young at heart," and it works like any other advanced glucose monitor in assessing precise glucose levels via a tiny pinprick of the user’s blood. However, where it differs is that the Glucoboy can also be used in conjunction with the Nintendo Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS handheld consoles (or the GriP Web community) to reward users with access to videogames in return for maintaining good health management. Of course, coupling the blood glucose monitor with the draw of videogames is a slice of medicinal marketing genius, yet any sense of gimmickry is easily forgiven considering the benefits the Glucoboy is able to deliver to its users. Specifically, the Glucoboy contains 2 full-length videogames (Lost Star Saga and Knock 'em Downs) and also a fun mini-arcade with which to ensure that young diabetic patients are following the correct routine to maintain their health. In order to assess and reward a user’s performance, the Glocuboy is inserted into the GBA cartridge slot or the GBA slot on the Nintendo DS, which then sees gathered test results redeemed via special Glucose Reward Points (GRPs). These points are then used to unlock videogame content or can be converted into related in-game currency. Keeping sick children properly attuned to the needs of their bodies through an incentive-based entertainment trade off is a fabulous idea and arrives as a welcome poke in the eye of those tireless campaigners that insist nothing good ever comes from playing videogames.Whether Nintendo itself expands upon the Glucoboy to see it accessing more substantial Nintendo-created titles remains to be seen, though it would certainly help the device’s profile and longevity.The Glucoboy is currently on sale in Australia for approximately $260 and is likely to shift over to mainland Europe in the coming months.

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