CDC Research Study Finds Adult Gamers are Fat and Depressed.

[Mayareira]

Also, the "average" age of an adult gamer is 35.

Study: Adult Video Gamers Fatter, More Depressed
By Matt Peckham , PC World , 08/17/2009
Sponsored by:

A new study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention working with Emory and Andrews Universities suggests the average US adult gamer is chubbier and less happy than the rest of the population. Apparently eschewing flea markets, churches, bowling alleys, sleepovers, and bingo night, they're also more dependent on the internet to make friends.

The average age of an "adult" gamer? 35, according to the study, a number that's been creeping up for years as those of us who grew up with Commodore and Atari and Pong carry the flag forward toward quadragenarianism.

The CDC-led study sampled responses from 500 adults aged 19 to 90 in the Seattle-Tacoma area, of which roughly 45 percent said they played video games. Of that 45 percent, male gamers had higher body-mass indexes (BMIs) and used the internet more than non-gamers, while female gamers reported higher incidence of depression and health issues. Both male and female gamers reportedly depend more on the internet when making new friends.

I'm not sure I see the upside/downside of the last point, and I'd argue whether "extroversion" is reducible to face-to-face activities. Isn't social engagement through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, instant messaging, email, etc. a form of extroversion ("outgoing," "sociable," "gregarious") too?

Unfortunately, the study doesn't appear to control for possibly related factors, say whether a respondent's career has any bearing on their physiological and mental well-being. Is there a correlation between career interest in computers and high technology and video gaming? If so, what about the sedentary nature of various technology-related jobs? So there's a correlation between adult male video game players and higher BMIs...could there be other explanatory correlations?

And what about those feelings of "depression"? Are they due to "withdrawal" symptoms as some- (without a shred of medical evidence, mind you) have claimed? Or could it be that games in at least some instances aid in highlighting the depressingly drone-like aspects of so many middle-class jobs? Do the games cause depression? Or simply reveal and/or highlight other elements of a person's life responsible for as much?

I can't discount the BMI claim if accurate. "Fat" isn't the new "robust." The bottom line fellas? Get off your duff and exercise.

Just not too much.

As they say, "everything in moderation."

Study: Adult Video Gamers Fatter, More Depressed - Network World

[Niiro]

duh?

[Tyche]

Should have polled me. I'd of brought the BMI average down several points.

I think it's been beaten to death that the BMI is complete bullshit anyway.

[Cyn]

But are they fat because they're gamers... or gamers because they're fat!?

And I'm with Tyche on this one.

[Null]

I'm skinny as fuck and most the gamers I know are.

[Kerberoz]

500 adults aged 19 to 90 in the Seattle-Tacoma area

How do I survey, dur-hur.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

How can they measure the entire gaming community based on 500 people in Seattle Tacoma I wonder? Even factors such as weather/climate in residential areas and the availability of affordable local entertainment can effect the results of such a survey so I do not see any validity in it. Not sure if that area is common for being a valid x section for testing US standards or not but I think it is too small of a sample.

Aw it depresses me and makes me want to eat twinkies... I think I will go play ffxi now.
[satire]

[Jer]

I'm skinny as fuck and most the gamers I know are.

I actually knew a couple guys who slimmed down a lot when they FF11 came out and they started playing. Though it wasn't because of anything they did on purpose, they would forget to eat. I was talking to one of them when his mom came to visit and she started asking him about his new diet. I lol'd.

[Kurokikaze]

lol stupid polls are stupid.

[Serif]

Haha the people who they polled probably had a fridge right next to them or a Mom on standby.

[archibaldcrane]

Yeah, when FFXI first came out I got under 160 - thinnest I'd been in years. Very easy to just eat that one survival meal a day when you're immersed.

[Correction]

Unfortunately, the study doesn't appear to control for possibly related factors, say whether a respondent's career has any bearing on their physiological and mental well-being. Is there a correlation between career interest in computers and high technology and video gaming? If so, what about the sedentary nature of various technology-related jobs? So there's a correlation between adult male video game players and higher BMIs...could there be other explanatory correlations?

Well, at least the reporter understands the flaws behind the poll, so blame it all on the CDC/Whassamatta University or whoever ran the survey.

[Milkster]

Hardcore gamers would be skinny/pasty due to the fact that they neglect themselves. And not even 1000 people to survey.

[Jodwahh]

They surveyed people coming out of a computer game store with a cake shop next to it.

[Mistress Stowastiq]

Haha the people who they polled probably had a fridge right next to them or a Mom on standby.

Reminds me of that hilarious made for internet comedy series about a guild of hardcore mmorpg gamers and their rl side of it but I forget the name of it. It had the one anti social dude/guild leader with the plug in hot plate on his desk so he never had to leave the computer to cook.

[_chuchu]

Haha the people who they polled probably had a fridge right next to them or a Mom on standby.

ready for bathroom.

[BRP]

*casuals

[Kuya]

itt: gamers butthurt in face of truth

[lithos]

tacoma

unhappy

I think we've found the problem.

[BadKarma]

THEY ARE IN THE VICINITY OF FUCKING SEATTLE

Not exactly the most happy place in the world. Sup Suicide?