Research: 'Call of Duty 4' aids weight loss

Researchers at Southampton University have revealed that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the most effective video game for weight loss when played in conjunction with the latest Gamercize exercise programme.

Collecting data such as BMI, weight loss and waist hip ratio using video game exercise specialist Gamercize's GZ Personal Trainer programme, a random sample of 250 male and female gamers aged between 18 to 35 took part.

The results showed that gamers playing Activision's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare lost the most weight, burning a total of up to 9 pounds on average after playing for around 9.2 hours per week over a four week period.

The second most effective weight loss game was Burnout Paradise, with users losing up to seven pounds after one month's playing, followed by The Simpsons game, offering up to six pounds weight loss over the same time frame.

Out of the three main next-gen consoles, the Xbox 360 was the most effective at burning body fat, with gamers losing an average of 1.6% fat over a month.

Interestingly, however, the Nintendo Wii, long thought of as a fat burner due to its motion controller, was shown to be the least effective with users burning up, on average, 1.1%.

"I'm very pleased with the results of this analysis, and have started discussions with a clinical centre of excellence about undertaking a major definitive study. I'm open to game publishers or console manufacturers who would also be willing to participate," said Gamercize founder and CEO, Richard Coshott.

Top three games for best monthly average weight loss:

1st Call of Duty (loss 4 - 9 lbs)
2nd Burnout Paradise - (loss 7 lbs)
3rd The Simpsons Game - (loss 6 lbs)

Top three video game consoles for the greatest reduction in body fat percent:

1st Xbox 360 - (fat burnt 1.6%)
2nd PlayStation 3 - (fat burnt 1.5%)
3rd Wii/GameCube - (fat burnt 1.1%)