The main diabetes researchers believe that the madness of smartphones with Pokémon Go could be an "innovative solution" for the increase in levels of obesity and chronic diseases.
Millions of people around the world have begun to play Pokémon Go, an augmented reality that makes players walk through places within the real world and capture and train the monsters that appear on the screens of their mobile phones.
Tom Yates, from the Department of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Health of the Leicester Diabetes Center, of the University of Leicester (United Kingdom), says: «Something that manages that people get up from the couch and walk through the streets, it could beAn innovative solution to increase obesity.Walking is greatly underestimated and yet it is the best and cheapest way of exercise.It is an easy and accessible way to be active and help maintain a healthy body, ”reports trends 21.
The application was first launched in the US, Australia and New Zealand and has now been launched in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, among other countries.It already has more active users than the application of Tinder appointments and has surpassed the social network Twitter in daily use.
Diabetes
Obesity is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes, since it represents 80-85 percent of the general risk of developing this disease.Health authorities recommend that adults have an at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise in sessions of 10 minutes or more.
The university's press release recounts the case of Tom Booth, 45, who has become a usual User of Pokemon Go, although he suffers from acute social anxiety, which makes him rarely leave home."At first I thought it was only for children, but I downloaded it to see what the entire fuss was about and for the first time in years I have left home and walk kilometers simply following what happens in the game."
"When I get home, I am exhausted but it has really been great to leave home and exercise without even realizing that I am doing it."
Last year the results of a study, which was carried out at the Leicester Diabetes Center, demonstrated the importance of incorporating pauses into the long periods of sitting.The research showed that women can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes being standing or walking regularly.
health benefits
Published in Diabetes Care, the journal of the American Diabetes Association, the investigation suggests that episodes of light movement of five minutes every 30 minutes significantly reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.
Matt Hoffman, Professor of Clinical Assistance at the University of Texas A & AMP;M (USA), points out that Pokemon Go is great news for public health."Playing is a lot of fun, and it has been a catalyst for people to get into motion," says Hoffman, who has affectionately nicknamed the "Professor Pokemon" by his co -workers.
"There is a sense of community in which coaches [as players are called] converge in search of Pokemon, or when they meet in pokeparadas," says Hoffman."The game is joining people, offering opportunities for social interaction and increasing the sense of belonging, which can have a positive impact on our emotional and mental health."
In addition, the technological tension that divides generations of a family can decrease."This is a relatively non -violent game, and I have seen families playing together," says Hoffman on his university's website."Encourage parents to go outside with their children while playing."Hoffman says that playing the game has even expanded his sense of curiosity and his knowledge about his local community."I have discovered new experiences within my community because the game has taken me to areas that I had not explored, or, previously only crossed," he says."In addition, I have met many interesting people during the game, and I like to see the variation in the designs of the characters and skills."
Of course, Hoffman warns of the risks of looking at the phone and not paying attention to the environment, such as stumble upon a curb.You have to look where it goes, it points out, and it is also safer to go as a team.«Remember, you should never play Pokemon Go driving.It is also important to avoid playing in dark and isolated areas ».