Active video games that involve physical movement may be an effective answer to childhood obesity, according to new research.

Tests at the University of Hong Kong on children using entertainment systems that allow players to become actively engaged with the virtual world, for instance by running on a “gaming mat”, showed that the games can burn up enough calories to prevent weight gain.

Taking advantage of youngsters’ passion for video games may be one way to prevent them becoming unfit and overweight, experts suggest.

So maybe the Government could use some of the cash raised from the sale of school playing fields to buy schools active video games instead.