Study: Average gamer is 35, fat and bummed

GTA 4 After This?

A new study says the average age of video-game players in the United States is 35, and oh, by the way: They're overweight and tend to be depressed.

Investigators from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University and Andrews University analyzed survey data from 552 adults in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The subjects ranged in age from 19 to 90, according to the study, published in the October issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The hypothesis was that video-game players have a higher body mass index — the measure of a person's weight in relation to their height — and "a greater number of poor mental health days" versus non players, said Dr. James B. Weaver III of the CDC's National Center for Health Marketing. The hypothesis was correct, he said.

That statistic is for the US. What about Malaysians?



Are we actually fat, old and depressed? Do we spend countless of hours behind the computer playing games, thus neglecting the essential activities for good health?

There are always 2 sides to any story. On one hand we can argue that a suitable amount of time spent on gaming can be beneficial to us. Or we can counter that saying by stating that gaming has caused many people to become a couch potato, just like the US. So far there are no conclusive studies to prove Malaysian gamers are obese and depressed, but personally I can see that is not the case. Ask any casual gamer, and they will tell you that by playing games, it serves as a platform for them to release stress, relax, and get away from reality-for a short time. This is of course, not true when he counts gaming as an obsession, where every minute of his meaningful life is spent behind a console.

Take a look at the top professional gamers. Look at our representatives at the Asian World Cyber Games. They are young, fit and (maybe) good looking. They represent our country; they make money by doing the things they love. A depressed bunch of individuals? You got to be kidding. To further illustrate my point, look at our editor in chief and former Asian Champion, Si Jali. He sure looks obese to me.

Perhaps there are actually many people that are obese. They may also be above 35. Some may also suffer from depression, like anyone would due to nature of their life. But because they do play games a hobby, they are part of the statistic that says-gamers are above 35, obese and bummed.

With the Malaysian government having a different outlook on gaming these days, it would be sheer folly to dismiss video games as a hobby that is nothing but detrimental to our health. Of course, we will never realize the exact extent of the damage done to us because of gaming (For instance radiation or fatigue). But to categorize gamers that way due to a few rotten apples who do not lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle would be unfair indeed.