. Virginia uses dance video game to fight obesity

Thu Jan 26, 10:11 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Children in West Virginia's public schools will be required to play Konami Digital Entertainment Inc.'s popular "Dance Dance Revolution" video game under a deal to help the state battle rising childhood obesity rates, the company said on Wednesday.

In the game, arrows appear on a video screen according to the beat of a song. Players score points by stepping on matching arrows on a mat. Units with a special workout mode allows players to track the calories they burn.

As part of the partnership, which includes all 765 of the state's schools, West Virginia will develop a curriculum based around the video game and track its progress.

All of the state's schools will have "Dance Dance Revolution" equipment within two years, said Konami spokeswoman Clara Gilbert.

The total cost of the program is $500,000. Konami is giving the state $75,000 in cash for product and research related to the program, which the company said is the first of its kind.

Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Konami Corp.