New Study says Gamers are Fat and DepressedFollow

Well, I for one have packed on a few pounds but certainly not because of video games. Getting married, coming down with some serious health issues, and just generally becoming more lethargic as I get older are to blame....not that whole whopping 1-2 hours of playtime I get to have a day. -_-;

Since they are using BMI for calculating if they are overweight they are going to ignore the fact that 64% of americans are overweight or obese.Relevant chart for BMI.

Edited, Aug 19th 2009 4:08pm by CrimsonSage

It does seem like gamers in general are pidgeon-holed into the stereotype of being overweight and depressed virgins, there are a few sad cases of such but it's not the majority. The way that article was written just came across as being written by someone who was being a bit bias.

I'm 20 years old, currently studying journalism and media at my local college and i work part time at a dental practice as a dental nurse. I weigh roughly 80kg which is about average for a guy my age or maybe a bit overweight, i haven't checked what the average is recently. I am also a member of a rifle's association in my reigon, which helps me get out and about a fair bit. Oh and i also have a good social life with my friends from my old history class.

Gamers are often the scapegoats of the media sadly, i've covered that in my diploma course and almost had to tell my teacher to shut the **** up when she (why is it usually a woman?) said out loud to the class that game players were losers.

Oh man I didn't even see that it was only 500 people... >.< Wow.

Edited, Aug 19th 2009 4:07pm by CrimsonSage

That survey saddens me ; ;

BRB eating a pound of bacon.

so many people getting defensive!


The sample size, limited location, methods, etc make this report kind of a bust. But it's hard to argue with the fact that people with hobbies you can sit down doing (NOT just gaming) won't be as in shape as those who have hobbies that are physical in nature.

My solution? Walking all the way down the stairs to the laundry room refrigerator for beers in between aery windows. Those extra 50 steps help me stay trim while drinking a six pack and sitting on my *** all evening.

Regardless of the validity of the survey, I don't really need one to tell me that I'm fat and depressed.

Surveys tend to promote blanket statements and stereotypes, and thus far if there's any one lesson that life has been trying to teach me, it's that everyone is different.

It is interesting to observe that people here would happily accept a survey/report that has a positive results, but totally reject a negative one.

Personally, I don't put much faith on this negative survey, or the last positive one that was posted here. It doesn't matter to me what most other gamers are like. I just keep myself healthy - though I admit I've been gaining weight :(

I really don't like you labeling depression "emo". It's like calling a disabled "spastic".

Difference between an negative survey and one not properly done/controlled. While that area may have higher online activity, as someone else pointed out it is mostly due to environmental region so of course more people would spend time indoors. It is questionable where/how they conducted the survey, as well as who took time to actually complete it. Credentials are really questionable, and MSNBC isn't exactly the best news source I'd refer anything to- let alone half the current places that currently do news, and to be blunt and biased myself, I met MANY Gamers while most were younger (~20ish average), most were well shaped. When I worked retail, overweight/obese people weren't as common as this survey wants to claim, they were there yes but most gamers I Met were standard weight and of college age.

I use to play 5 hours a day if it wasn't my day off.(NOw more Since job market sucks) Worked 40-48 hour weeks and still manage to loose 120 pounds. I am still about 30 40 pounds over weight but hey. Damn videogames.