Unless you are living under a rock, there is a pretty darn good chance that you either own a Nintendo Wii, or know someone who does. My husband and I resisted the urge to jump on the bandwagon for as long as we could. I was pregnant, we both we working, and really didn’t have time to commit to goofing off.

Then we tried one at a friend’s house and immediately fell in love with the fun, movement, and new level of involvement provided by the Wii. So we bought one.

Sure, it was mostly for our own enjoyment, but I have really come to appreciate the fact that because of the Wii, our nieces, nephews, and young cousins now have no excuse for sitting on their bottoms when visiting. At least they get a little bit of activity, even on the worst of bad-weather days.

Turns out Nintendo may have been on to more than just the top of every kid’s Christmas and Birthday list. According to a study in the British Medical Journal, kids get increased energy expenditure with the Wii compared to sedentary video games.

I can attest to the increased energy required. The few times I played tennis or bowling, I learned very quickly that I wasn’t going to get my Mii anywhere, unless I got moving and into the game.

And in the face of today’s childhood obesity rates, some activity is definitely better than none. But parents should not make the mistake of allowing game-time in front of the Wii (and a mere two-percent increase in calories burned) to replace the recommended hour a day of activity for kids.

The University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor offers the following tips for parents to help get their kids moving:

• Why is exercise important? Outdoor activities allow kids the chance to burn energy, develop coordination, and build strength and confidence.

• How can I help my child to become more active? This is definitely one aspect of parenting where your example sits high on the impression scale. Kids who are part of active families grow up to embrace the lifestyle. Just be sure to encourage age-appropriate activities for the kids (like backyard games of tag or bike riding) and save the treadmill and stair-stepping for later. You also can encourage your child to join a sports team, dance class, or focus on an activity they enjoy. Like adults, kids won’t want to stick to something that isn’t fun for them.

• Has your child already been diagnosed as overweight? Ask your health care provider or your child’s school if there is a program or local exercise group geared for overweight kids.

• Are there other ways to incorporate activity into our day? Sure! Do things as a family. Go for an evening walk together or have your child bike as you jog. Kids are more willing to exercise if you are participating with them. You also can incorporate active chores into the routine like raking leaves, walking the dog, washing the car, or gardening together.

That said, the study did point out that the Wii was able to do what many have tried at and failed: Getting otherwise sedentary kids off the couch and on their feet. And that, in and of itself, is a good thing.