Video games that involve physical activity have become part of physical education programs in schools across the state of West Virginia.

When you think of video games and kids, the "couch potato" term may come to mind, but there are games growing in popularity that involve much more than your kids' thumbs and the controllers.

Games like Dance Dance Revolution and systems like Nintendo Wii involve kids engaging in physical activity as part of the games.

As West Virginia ranks No. 1 in the country in childhood obesity, schools across the state are embracing "video game fitness."

Dance Dance Revolution, also known as DDR, is a game in which kids follow the screen and the music, and dance on a step pad.

"It gets your heart pumping, and all that, and it gives you a good workout,” said Harold Heinzeroth, a student at Brooke High School.

DDR is now part of physical education classes at Brooke High School to give kids another option for physical fitness.

“This is just an easy way to work out and have fun with it at the same time,” said a Casey Carr, a student at Brooke High School.

Teacher Antoinette Perkins told NEWS9 that her students can't get enough.

"The students love it,” said Perkins. “They enjoy it so much.

Many students told NEWS9, unlike other activities, they don't feel like they're working out.

“You burn as much as you would when you run,” said Kristen Stewart, a student at the high school. “But it seems like you've done less work."

But Dr. Emily Murphy, a research instructor at West Virginia University, told NEWS9 it is work.

Murphy is one of many in the mountain state who worked to implement DDR into 235 public schools in West Virginia.

"Really to target those kids that may not be interested in the traditional phys. ed opportunities, like volleyball, or football or cheerleading,” said Murphy.

"We did a 12-week program with 50 overweight kids and saw dramatic improvements in their cardiovascular risks,” said Murphy.

Murphy told NEWS9 that DDR can burn more calories than walking and weight-lifting, and as many calories as biking.

Freshman student Brandy Murphy said DDR helped her without her even realizing it.

"I'm just doing the game and I just suddenly lost a couple of pounds,” said Murphy. “So I'm like, OK, I'll do this more."

There are other types of video games that incorporate fitness.

Systems like Nintendo Wii let the player use a controller to play games like boxing and tennis.

Perkins told NEWS9 that at the end of the day it's about getting kids to get up and move.

"It gets them active,” said Perkins. “It gets them off their butt. It gets them moving."

Natalie Pasquarella, NEWS9 For more local news, click here