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CDC Research Study Finds Adult Gamers are Fat and Depressed
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by Scott Wu | August 18, 2009 at 09:30 am
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A CDC research finds that adult gamer are fatter and more depressed than the general population, and the average age is 35. Game addicts are found to be more reliant on the internet to find friends.
The study was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Emory University, and Andrews University. Based on survey data from people age 19-90 in the Seattle-Tacoma area, the investigators found measurable correlations between gaming activities and health risks.
Participants reported whether they were players or non-players, and weekly usage was collected.
Internet usage was assessed, as was the relative importance of the Internet as a social support.
Other elements studied included self-assessments of depression, personality, health status, physical and mental health, body mass index (BMI), and poor quality of life.
Those surveyed also estimated the time they spent during a typical week surfing the net and watching telly, including videos and DVDs.
Nearly half (45.1 per cent) reported playing video games.
Male gamers reported higher BMI (Body Mass Index) and spent more time on internet than male non-gamers.
Both female and male video-game players show greater reliance on the internet as a way for social support.
Dr. Brian Primack from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine thinks that video games are better defined as "play-like activities". Chasing and running in real life is significantly different from similar activities on a TV screen. Although they both provide brain stimulation, video games provide very limited physical benefits.
The study will be published in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
I hope future research will probe deeper to find the difference between various game consoles, like Nintendo Wii, Playstation, Xbox.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 08:12 on August 21st, 2009
I find this story really interesting... I'm trying to see if it's true with MMO gamers as well, as I've heard the contrary actually.Do MMO Gamers Fit the New CDC Study? Are They Fat / Depressed?