Poker machines have been getting a bad rap lately, but several recent studies have highlighted the positive points of the games. One study has even gone so far as to suggest that pokies are linked to a decline in childhood obesity.
In the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study has found that an increase in poker machines at California casinos has been linked to a small decline in childhood obesity rates among Native American children. For every pokie added, there was a .19% decline in risk of obesity. The connection is related to increased economic activity driven by casinos.
The conclusion was reached as researchers examined gym class fitness records for more than 22 000 Native American Children age 7 to 18. The data was compared to points in time before, during and after casino construction in the area. Overall, the rate of childhood obesity was 48%, which declined by 5% when poker machines were added to the local community.
"Opening or expanding a casino was associated with increased economic resources and decreased risk of childhood overweight/obesity," says lead author Jessica Jones-Smith. In the state, casinos can only be hosted on land that is owned by Native Americans. The profits from these casinos must be invested in the local community, boosting economic activity for aboriginals.
The research team determined that every slot machines that was added per person was related to a $541 increase in per capita income. Thanks to the increase in economic activity, childhood obesity rates are on the decline among Native Americans in California. There are certainly other influences at work, but casinos and poker machines are major contributing factors.
The research does not prove that casinos should be built in all areas to combat childhood obesity, but it does suggest that pokies can boost economic activity in certain areas and benefit the lifestyles of local residents.
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