Is playing video games healthier than watching tv?

Neither occupation could be described as heathly, in that they have benefits to the health of the person persuing them.

The closest to a health benefit you might get is psychological, but both systems could be argued to have both positive and negative psychological impact.

For instance playing a battlefield videogame on the positive side may have a minor health and developmental benefit in increased hand to eye co-ordination, but negative impact in the subject material from a psychological standpoint.

The same is true of a TV program. Education may be enhanced which may lead to a better lifestyle (for instance watching and engaging in an excercise program), but watching a film featuring a homicidal maniac may have a negative psychological impact.

Therefore neither system has any major immediate influence over improving physical health. Both systems can have negative impact (Doing either rather than going outside and excercising) and both can have minor to severe psychological impact (If it didnt niether would have a ratings system).