Study: Kick bad habits by playing games

Can't resist the urge to munch another chip or fire up another stogie? Maybe you just need to play more Peggle.

According to a survey commissioned by RealGames, playing casual games can help promote healthier lifestyles by distracting us from bad habits like smoking and snacking.

Conducted by research firm Information Solutions Group, the study polled over 4,500 casual gamers. Nearly 60% of respondents agreed that playing casual games online helped distract them from overindulging in snacks, while 42% reported a decrease in the frequency of tobacco usage. And across the board, participants noted that playing games left them feeling "relaxed and relieved of stress." Clearly, they have yet to try beating GTA IV.

But what about the notion that game themselves are nefariously addictive? While the study doesn't mention the issue, it should be noted that the RealGames survey comes one year after experts from the American Medical Association officially rebuked claims that excessive video game playing was a formal addiction, denying it entry into the DSM pending further research.

Marked by savvy game publishers shifting significant resources into self-help games, the news reflects a changing tide in video game design. Nintendo's health game Wii Fit is a bona fide hit, while third-party giant Ubisoft recently unveiled the diet-conscious DS game "My Weight Loss Coach" and the anti-smoking game "Easyway to Stop Smoking."

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