Study: Average Gamer is Overweight, Depressed

[-unknown-]

[citation][nom]cracklint[/nom]Most likely the test group was already depressed and use video games as an escape. The study should have been, "Are video games a healthy outlet for people with depression."[/citation]
That is by far the most sensible thought I have heard in a very long time (in relation to the effect of video games).

 

[thundercleese]

I do not fit into the obove description and I am an avid gamer... Though I've never played WoW, nor do I ever want 2. However, I do have some one in my close family who fits this description perfectly except he's 18. And guess what? It is obvious to every one that he wouldn't be this way if his parents had parented him properly instead of just leaving him in front of the SNES since he was 4-years-old and bending over to please his every demand. I have a 5-year-old dauhgter who loves playing her DS, PSP and PS3 with me and as much as I enjoy seeing her have fun we always set limits to her video game time to make sure she doesn't end up like the above statistics.

 

[SSBrando]

A study in Seattle? There are more depressed people living there than anywhere else in the US! Heck, what they should have done is see how many people are depressed, and then see out of those people if they play games.

 

[hammond]

I play WoW at least 3 times a week and I am happily married with a kid and we are all in good shape. You just have to play in moderation and get exercise regularly. Diet is also the key factor. I think the overweight and depressed part is less game related than this report says it is.

 

[v1ze]

[citation][nom]jtt283[/nom]American gamer? No, Seattle-area gamer. The Pacific Northwest gets fifty inches of fog per year, nevermind the rain.[/citation]
We just tell everyone it rains here all the time so you don't move here. We average ~35 inches per year, not even close to the top 10. Now if we're talking overcast that's a different story! Which is my point. Of course people in Seattle spend more time indoors!

 

[mr_tuel]

Glad I'm not the "Average American"! I'm nearly underweight, happy, 23 years old...I could go on about "average Americans" but I usually don't fit that description--except for being American.

 

[IzzyCraft]

After reading this how can i not be depressed

 

[P_haze420]

I'm in shape, I'm not depressed, I play shit load of games.

 

[chaohsiangchen]

Overweight and depressed? Good, it means that gamers are just like everybody else, overweight and depressed.

And why should taxpayers fund this useless research? Why it smells like that bureaucrats in CDC want to prove that video games are bad for your health?

 

[Onus]

Oh, I play games on most days; often for hours on weekends. I'm 49, in the "green" zone on the BMI chart, and happily married to a wife who accepts my hobbies just as I accept and support hers. We also get out on our Catrikes at least once a week (trying for at least twice; they're fun).

 

[Boxa786]

Alot has changed since 2006, like I see alot more female online gamers, alot more younger gamers. Many more people who would normally play a game once or twice a month, gaming all night instead, so them figures arent realistic, not to mention this just reiterates USA's popular obesity!

 

[ryanjm]

You could substitute "Average Gamer" for "Average American living in Seattle." I'm guessing they were fatter and more depressed than the average person in that city, but it's certainly not clear from the content of this article.

 

[captaincharisma]

LOL you know when your country is mostly fat people when shows like "more to love" saya the girls in the show are average

USA=Fail

 

[Guest]

Well, the findings are clear. Video games in Seattle for high on life anorexics.
Problem solved! ;-)

 

[greliu]

This study seems like it was a waste of time.... besides, 60% of the U.S. population is overweight lol.

 

[viometrix]

this article is a sham...i am 35, hardcore gamer, very happy (well a little depressed with the economy and being unemployed) but over all i am a very happy person, and i am in ideal physical condition.

 

[ssddx]

I do love how an average was taken of 552 gamers in one locale... then announced as an average of all americans in general. As such, announcements that you do not fit the average as stated are a bit pointless as the average itself is not accurate.

552 out of 307,162,899 (2009) isn't enough. Perhaps question 10,000-30,000 in suburbs, towns, and major cities.. then we will see.

 

[skalagon]

Harsh

 

[chuckdalton]

I'm 37, overweight and now I am depressed too... thanks tom's!!

Just joking, keep up the good work!

 

[Burodsx]

I would like a study to show that the average blogger has nothing useful to write about. How about them apples?