The Nintendo DIDGET: good for children
By James • Feb 18th, 2010 • Category: Uncategorized- Photo: Nintendo
With Type 2 diabetes in children on the increase, and children in the UK actually losing sleep over video games, the Nintendo DS, with its blood glucose meter, seems like a great investment for the family.
Playing past bedtime
- Photo: Bayer
A brand new survey that 1000 children between nine and 11 took part in throughout the UK suggests children are not getting enough sleep. This is, in part, due to their playing video games. Considering that video games are so popular that children are losing sleep over them, Bayer’s release in mid-2009 of a blood glucose monitor for diabetic children that connects to the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite was a smart move.
Diabetes on the increase
In the UK, there are currently over 2.3 million people living with diabetes. In the last thirty years, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children has increased by two-thirds. This is especially worrying, as Type 2 diabetes in children and teenagers, usually seen in overweight, older people, tells of increased levels of obesity among children.
Blood sugar testing fun
- Photo: Nintendo
Bayer Diabetes Care’s DIDGET links to Nintendo DS consoles, and rewards children with diabetes for testing their blood glucose, and meeting healthy blood glucose ranges. John Gregory, professor in paediatric oncology at the Wales School of Medicine, told eHealthInsider.co.uk that the DIDGET could ease tension between parents and children by making testing blood sugar levels fun.
Added extras
The DIDGIT meter is for children aged five to 14 who will be able to spend points earned by testing their blood sugar on Bayer’s DIDGET World, a password-protected Internet community. Children can also create their own personal pages on DIDGET World.
Parents of diabetic children should consider investing in a DIDGET, as regular blood sugar testing is vital in managing diabetes. With its reward-based system, the DIDGET promises to make children less reluctant to self-test.
Tags for this article: diabetes in children, DIDGET
