OBESITY is, if you'll pardon the pun, a growing problem for this country. There are plenty of innovative schemes being run the length and breadth of the nation aimed at defusing Britain's health time bomb.

It is surprising, therefore, when pressure groups and elements of the national media decide to deride such schemes.

That is precisely what happened over the weekend as a pilot project in Worcester and Droitwich, already reported by your Worcester News, hit the national headlines.

The scheme uses the Nintendo Wii, a computer game in which users have to mimic the actions of real sports. It has been made available during lunch times at secondary schools in the two towns to encourage kids to stay active.

Critics, including the Campaign for Real Education, have dismissed the scheme as a gimmick and called on pupils to take part in real sport. They are missing the point.

It's the children who do not take part in sport, those who shy away from PE lessons, who are the target of this project.

If it gets them involved in physical activity we are all for it, particularly if it sparks an interest in sport.

Beating obesity will not be easy. We know that all it requires to stay in shape is to eat less and exercise more. But many people need to be encouraged and inspired to do so.

Tackling childhood obesity will pave the way for a healthy nation in the future. If the price of achieving that is a few computer games, then it is one well worth paying.

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