Wii game tells fit girl she's fat

Loads of you have been desperate to get a Wii Fit game since it came out in April, but now it's at the centre of a big row after it told a girl she's fat.

Tabea, 11, from Lincolnshire, told her parents she had to diet after the game said she was fat, when she isn't.

The game works out players' body mass index (BMI), which shows if you're the right weight for your height.

But makers Nintendo have admitted the calculations are based on adults and may not be accurate for all children.

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Tabea said she was upset by the game's verdict on her weight: "I was a little sad about it because I really don't want to be overweight.

The Wii Fit game gets you to try loads of different exercises and balances

"I went home and told my mum and she was really angry because girls my age shouldn't be worrying about these kind of things."

Some obesity experts are also angry as they say the game could damage the way kids think about their bodies, by telling them they're overweight when they're not.

Some also fear it will make kids obsessed with their weight, and they want Nintendo to put a warning on the boxes.

Apologise

The BMI index doesn't tell the difference between muscle and fat, so even some top footballers could be classed as obese because they're really muscly and muscle weighs a lot more than fat!

Nintendo has apologised for any offence the terms used to describe a player's BMI are causing, but said it wouldn't be putting any warnings on the games.

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

Your comments

"I don't think it's very fair for Wii Fit to say stuff about our weight. I have one myself and it says I am a bit overweight. I think our weight should be scrapped off it as our weight should be kept to ourselves."

Eilidh, 14, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

"I think it is a mistake that should be forgot about... Tabea is a normal 11-year-old and shouldn't be offended by some game. It is not Nintendo's fault though."

Colleen, 13, Countuy Tyrone, Northern Ireland

"This is the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard! :D"

Megan, 13, Glasgow, Scotland

"It is silly getting worked up over a game that is meant to be fun to play. I don't think Nintendo should compensate because it is just people overreacting. Just tell yourself you look good and all your worries will fly away - that's what I do!!!"

Amy, 12, Dorset, England

"I don't think it's fair that Wii Fit has the right to insult someone by any means. On the other hand, I think she overreacted and shouldn't worry about her weight."

Zohra, 9, Surrey, England

"It is just a game. If it does tell you you're fat, the best thing to do is ignore it because it could be wrong. Just use the game for fun no matter what it says."

Nicole, 9, Suffolk, England

"I have been on the Wii Fit and it told me I was fat, but weeks before we had an assessment at school and I was average."

Erin, 11, Leeds, England

"I think the game is amazing, but maybe they should tell you on the game to be aware that for children it may not be accurate. Apart from the fact that the scales can be a bit 'off' at times, it's a great game and I would recommend it to anyone with a Wii."

Jess, 11, Warwickshire, England

"I'm thinking about getting a Wii but not Wii Fit; it's not Nintendo's job to tell if you're fat or thin!"

Evan, 10, Middlesbrough, England

"I think they should get rid of the Wii that tells you your weight because it happened to me - the Wii said I was fat."

Sarah, 8, London, England

"That is so stupid! No way a computer game can tell you if you are fat or not! Just don't listen! Who do you believe, a computer game or your parents?"

Billie, 11, Swindon, England

"I think Nintendo haven't realised kids about my age are going to play Wii Fit, so this is going to have an effect - particularly with girls - on our self-esteem and self-consciousness. I think Nintendo should limit it to over 16s, as the BMI will be more accurate."

Greta, 11, Rushden, England

"I think if it tells you that you're fat you should just ignore it, but I think they should put a warning on the box."

Alice, 10, Oxfordshire, England

"I have Wii Fit, it tells me false things about my fitness, but I just ignore it and carry on playing."

Louis, 11, Peterborough, England

"Don't worry about it, remember it's just a game, it's not the doctor telling you that you are overweight is it?"

Zara, 8, Belfast, Northern Ireland

"I think it is unfair to say she is fat and that it's very offensive. I've wanted a Wii Fit for ages, but I don't want it if it tells you that you're something you're not!!!!"

Matilda, 10, Chester, England

"I think that the Wii Fit game is a good idea, but I also think that it should be advertised only for adults who are concerned about their weight or how healthy they are. It is stupid how one comment can change the way someone thinks of themselves."

Hannah, 13, Beverley, England

"I got a Wii Fit for my birthday and it also told me I was overweight, even though I am an ideal weight for my height."

Victoria, 9, Hull, England

"I think they should take the Wii Fit off the market and adjust it. I would not like to be called fat from a computer."

Kieran, 13, Lincolnshire, England

"Wii Fit is a brilliant game and you should enjoy it. If it says you're fat then just ignore it and have fun."

Sophie, 12, Buckinghamshire, England

"I don't think she should take any notice, it is just a game to have fun on."

Katie, 10, Sheffield, England

"Well, it is just a game. If it does tell you you're fat, the best thing to do is ignore it because could be wrong. Just use the game for fun no matter what it says. After all, it is just a computer."

Natasha, 13, London, England

"My Wii Fit told me I was as fit as a 36-year-old when I do four hours of sport everyday!"

Tom, 11, Reigate, England

"I think Wii Fit should tell people positive comments, not comments to put the person down."

Aaron, 13, Southampton, England

"Wii Fit is a great game to play. They say it's not accurate for children so you need to understand that it may be wrong!"

Jordy, 13, Paris, France

"Games are supposed to be fun, not offensive. Especially if they tell you to lose weight when you don't need to."

Carla, 12, Newcastle, England

"I think everyone's being unreasonable because it's just a game. I think everyone should have a bit of common sense and not believe a game. I mean you shouldn't blame someone or something, you should look at yourself and say, 'I look fine the way I am'. So I disagree with the majority of the comments."

Sarah, 13, Ilford, England

"I think that you should be able to set it to adult or child, but don't ban the game because I really want it."

Rachel, 12, Long Eaton, England

"Wii Fit is really good, but to say that you are fat is so disgraceful."

Hayley, 10, London, England

"I think it is unfair that Wii Fit tells her that she is fat because anyone who is fit could use it and it tells them that they are fat and then they go on a diet and get underweight. That is also very bad for you, because if you are underweight then you don't have a lot of strength."

Vicky, 10, Dusseldorf, Germany

"I think that it's fine. It makes sense that she might have lots of big muscles and it takes in that weight."

Lucy, 10, Essex, England

"I think that the game should not be saying them things because the game is for fun, not a gym."

Nikhta, 9, Essex, England

"I think it's really rude! I feel sorry for her!"

Sasha, 12, Aberdeen, Scotland

"Well, that must mean that the box is faulty! I went on one and it told me the right weight. Come on! Games cant do EVERYTHING can they?!"

Katie, 10, Wakefield, England

"I'm an Irish dancer and I've got a lot of muscle and the Wii Fit told me I'm fat. I think it's just atrocious"

Ariane, 9, Glasgow, Scotland

"Wii Fit told one of my friends he had put on 5 pounds after he had exercised on it for 20 minutes... it seriously cannot be trusted."

Katie, 13, Manchester, England

"I think that it is disgraceful that a child should be offended by a Nintendo game about their weight, especially when they are not fat! Nintendo should apologise to her, and give her a free game or some form of compensation! I am shocked!!!"

Olivia, 11, Bury, England

"I think the Wii is fun to play if you're bored. My family find it fun to play when it is raining outside."

Josh, 13, Boston, England

"Wii Fit told my dad that he was fat when he is super skinny."

Kim, 13, Leicestershire, England

"I have Wii Fit and I am a perfect weight for my age, it tells me I'm fit. I think it's a good way to play games."

Jazmine, 13, Blackwood, Wales

"I think that Wii Fit is okay because when I was playing on my Wii Fit it told me I was overweight but I wasn't bothered, I just laughed and carried on with the game. I think if you have a good sense of humour you'll be fine!"

Ryan, 11, Leicestershire, England

"That Wii game should be banned."

Vicky, 11, Chingford, England

"We feel really sorry for Tabea and we think that the game shouldn't be sold. They should have a warning on the game so we can be aware."

Sasha & Anika, 10 & 11, London, England

"I think this is really disappointing. They should accept they're wrong and that children are just as likely (if not more likely) to play on Wiis as adults. After all, how hard will it be to put on a different calculation option for children from adults?"

Eden, 14, Newcastle, England

"I think it should tell you on the box that it is based on adults and not on kids."

Leighona, 11, Aberdeen, Scotland

"I really want a Nintendo Wii because I haven't got a DS. I won't be getting that game if I do get one."

Monica, 11, Grangemouth, Scotland

"I think that it is just a game. I mean why trust a game instead of your doctor."

Tumi, 11, Sailsbury, England

"I think that Wii Fits are good but they shouldn't include anything about your weight because children and adults might get offended."

Abbie, 11, Leicestershire, England

"I think it is really unfair that a girl who is fit is told she's fat. I think the bosses should take back the game and amend it so it tells you the right stuff."

Izzy, 10, Buckinghamshire, England

"Personally, I wouldn't pay any attention to anybody or anything that tells me I'm fat other than my doctor. A video game telling people whether or not they're fat can be very dangerous to their self-esteem."

Mary, 13, Blue Bell, USA