Nintendo’sWii Fitdebuted in North America in 2008 and quickly became a phenomenon, becoming what was at the time the third bestselling console game by 2012. It seemed that practically everyone who owned a Nintendo Wii also owned the Wii Balance Board peripheral, andWii Fitwas a key element ofNintendo’s then 10-year plan to improve people’s quality of life“in enjoyable ways.” As with many well-intentioned plans, however, there were unforeseen downsides to theWii Fit.
For most people, theWii Fitprobably fell into the same category as exercise bikes and treadmills, equipment purchased with lofty goals that was initially used with gusto but soon became dust covered and forgotten. Others made full use of theWii Fitand enjoyed its positive benefits, like George Perkins’ “Nan.” In June 2021, Perkins tweeted about hisgamer grandmother who had used herWii Fitdaily for 13 years, or 4,784 consecutive days. It’s likely that the daily physical exercise has helped sustain, if not improve, his grandmother’s health.
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On the other hand, a recent viral TikTok video by singer Leanna Firestone, aka leannaeileen, shows a more somber side ofNintendo’sWii Fit. Firestone sings about the impact Nintendo’s exercise program can have on a person’s self-esteem, in this instance a teenager. Rather than having fun withWii Fit, the song draws a picture of a girl learning from the game that she’s obese, worrying about body mass index, skipping meals, and perhaps obsessively exercising daily for an hour. The song ends with the words, “And it’s all fun and it’s all games until it’s time to weigh back in. And when nothing changed, I hated myself instead of myWii Fit.” Thevideo can be viewed here.
Although Firestone’sTikTok postis accompanied by the caption “PLEASE TELL ME U KNOW WHAT IM TAKING BOUT” and seems to also be conveying a humorous take on the situation, it inevitably sends a powerful message. Adolescents and teenagers, no matter the gender, are particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of worrying about weight and appearance too soon. One 2016 study posted on the NIH National Library of Medicine found that the average age of onset for eating disorders was 18 years.
As with many things, it’s difficult to strike a balance between the positive effects of regular exercise and the potential negatives.Wii Fitfeatures yoga for flexibility, strength training, aerobics for heart and lung health, and balance games, which are particularly useful as people age. Nintendo’s exergame has been used in physiotherapy for kids and adults who, for example, have lost limbs and need assistance with improving their balance and building muscles. TheWii Fitbecame so ubiquitous and popular that thefemaleWii Fittrainer became iconic, joining the lineup of playable characters in 2014’sSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii Uand again in 2018’sSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
