Sydney (IANS): Worried that your child may be spending too much time playing the Nintendo Wii? Fear not, as the latest research reveals that interactive sports video games are better for children than conventional computer games, but it does not solve the widespread prevalence of childhood obesity.

The study found that playing virtual sports such as boxing and tennis on the Nintendo Wii burned more than 50 percent energy than playing sedentary computer games such as the Xbox.

The researchers calculated that in a typical week, a child who played Wii sports would use about two percent more energy than a child playing computer games.

While the increase is "trivial", these games could play a role in weight management.

Professor David Dunstan, head of the physical activity lab at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, said; "Interactive games could be useful in helping to increase people's level of activity throughout the day."

Public relations manager of Nintendo Australia Heather Murphy said: "Playing Wii is not a substitute for more vigorous activity, but it's a great way for people to ease into exercise or to complement what they're already doing."

The study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.