Fit the Fat 2 - FIVE BITS, INC

This review of Fit the Fat 2 was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 10 July 2017.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Fit the Fat 2 contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Played to Level 22.

App description

This game begins with a 507 pound man wanting to lose weight. Players achieve this by making the character do various exercises which include treadmill, weights and skipping rope. The weight loss can also be aided by making the character eat healthy food, do yoga and take required naps. Exercising earns coins which can be used to buy various things such as food, power ups and alternative clothing. As the character loses weight, players will progress to higher levels which unlock better exercise equipment and better food items. Players will require sufficient co-ordination and good timing for some of the exercises.

 

Reviewers comments

While some elements of this game are about healthy eating and exercise parents may wish to discuss some of the underlying themes including dieting, weight and body image; healthy and non-healthy eating, and advertising of unhealthy foods.   

See some below examples of how these issues could relate to this game:

Part of the game play is to use virtual coins to buy food from the shop. Both healthy food and unhealthy food can be purchased, however the unhealthy food is labelled as “Fast Food” and is considerably cheaper than the healthy food. Furthermore, eating the fast food adds more weight to the character and hence takes longer to burn it off. Whilst this is relative to the real world, the possible affect to game play is that players with low amounts of coins may be more inclined to purchase more coins with real money because they don’t want to undo all the work that they just did (through exercise) by having to purchase the cheaper fast food to feed their character. If the character’s stamina runs out, you must put him to bed for 22 mins (in real time) before you can exercise again. However, players can consume “power up” drinks - which refill your stamina and negate the need to go to bed. Bearing this in mind, together with “Sport” and energy drinks that can be purchased from the virtual shop; this may also send an unhealthy message to young players that think that these habits are healthy because they feature within a game designed to make someone lose weight.

In App purchasing

• 1000 Coins - $2.99
• 3000 Coins - $4.49
• 6000 Coins - $7.99
• 15,000 Coins - $14.99
• 35,000 Coins - $30.99

Online information

• Photo/Media/files
• Connectivity with social media

Gambling

There is no gambling content within the game itself, but there are many ads feature inappropriate gambling apps.

Advertising and product placement

There are many pop-up ads and offers to watch 30 seconds ads to earn coins. These often feature gambling ads.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

None.

Coarse language

None.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

The game encourages taking photos of your character so that you can share them on social media. Besides the connection to social media factor, parents may not be comfortable with seeking approval or “likes” through what may be seen as improvements in body image. Not only does this suggest that there is a perfect body type but places emphasis on the superficiality of outward appearances. Even though it’s just a game and the character is not real, posting for likes in reference to appearance on social media could be  habit forming for some and generalise to real life.

Other

None. 

Got a suggestion?

You can contact us if you have suggestions of other children's apps to review.