The Nintendo Wii console and the Wii Fit Plus game has become the first video game and console to be endorsed by the NHS and the Department of Health.

However, all may not be as it seems because it has been revealled that the Japanese console maker, has agreed to back the NHS programme Change4Life activity promotion service with funds from its own cheque book.

The Change4Life programme is a campaign by the Department of Health and NHS to encourage the population, especially children, to become more activity, endulge in more exercise and to eat healthier options for snacks and at meal times. It has been suggested it is this government and NHS backed service that will lend its logo to the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus product during TV adverts here in the UK.

Wii Fit Plus is the latest video game to be launched by Nintendo for its Wii games console and Wii Fit 'platform'. The Nintendo Wii Fit has become a family favourite, with women, in particular, becoming big fans.

The original Nintendo Wii Fit was first launched 18 months ago. The Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is an update of this original which now includes more exercises which vary in difficulty to challenge the user and which should, over time, promote adaptations in both the body and performance. The exercises include yoga balances, lunges, hula-hooping and many more.

The new Wii Fit Plus will enable players to tailor an exercise programme to their own preferences and to target areas of their body, allowing women to focus on key problem areas, including the back of the arms, the thighs and the tummy.

The Nintendo Wii Fit Plus will be launched in the UK 30th October 2009.