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Gamer geeks have lower BMIs

Posted on Sep 20th 2008 5:34PM by Martha Edwards

Filed Under: Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

We all know the stereotype of a typical video game geek: pasty-skinned and overweight, never seeing the light of day, except for a brief glimpse when opening the door for the pizza delivery guy.

But according to recent research, the average 'gamer' isn't unhealthy -- in fact, gamers have lower BMIs than the average adult in the U.S.. The average BMI among gamers was 25 -- just on the border of normal and overweight. What's more, the average gamer engaged in physical activity once or twice a week. Gamers did, however, show larger instances mental health issues, including depression and substance abuse.

Are you more or less physically healthy than a gamer?

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6 Comment

Tags: computer, game, gamer, gaming, inactivity, indoors, play, tv, video game, video games, VideoGame, VideoGames

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

susan 9-20-2008 @ 6:20PM

Well that makes sense actually...someone who just sits on the couch watching TV has time to munch on snacks mindlessly...but if ur a gamer your completely engaged in the activity. Plus ur hands are being used to play the game, so you don’t really have a way to mindlessly eat away your day. And those guys can play for hours at a time so I wouldn’t be shocked if they even miss a meal or 2 occasionally.

MalafeX 9-20-2008 @ 9:26PM

good

... 9-20-2008 @ 9:30PM

That's a fascinating study. Thanks for posting it!

I was an avid gamer during high school. I gave it up during college, but I just started gaming again heavily a few years ago. My high school BMI was 22.3. My BMI today is 23.6. When I wasn't gaming, however, my BMI was 31.6.

On the other hand, I was most depressed when I wasn't gaming.

I think there's a fundamental attitude difference between when I consider myself a gamer and when I didn't. When I game, my fundamental attitude is that I'm enjoying myself. I enjoy my life. I enjoy my food. I love myself. I'm not stressed. I'm happy.

When I wasn't gaming, I was concentrating on work. Work took priority over eating well and enjoying life. I ate tons of (low calorie, low fat, reduced sugar, low sodium, etc.) processed stuff because processed foods keep better, and while I was working so hard, I would forget to eat the fresh foods before they went bad.

Maybe one of the reasons why the study found what it did was that gaming and fitness might both be some of the many possible results of people putting a priority on taking care of themselves.

Tim 9-21-2008 @ 2:50AM

If we're measuring health by BMI then I'm overweight. If we're measuring health by body fat, aerobic ability and strength I'm doing very well thank you for asking.

andrea 9-21-2008 @ 6:32PM

This doesn't surprise me. As someone mentioned, using a two hand controller makes it difficult to snack. Also, people who actually work out, or have physical jobs have muscle mass, which BMI doesn't account for. Someone who sits on their couch all day is probably pretty light comparatively, although I'd bet they have higher body fat and lower lean mass. They probably also have vitamin D deficiencies.
I'm also biased, because I detest video games and the strangle hold they have on our youth. Kids are way too fat and lazy these days. There will be no video games in my house, ever.

... 10-07-2008 @ 10:56PM

They've been coming up with very interesting video games lately, and they're expanding the exertainment titles all the time. I think it's no longer a safe assumption that video games are bad for you. For example, check out the following titles:

Dance Dance Revolution
Wii Fit
My Weight Loss Coach
Quick Yoga
Let's Pilates

These are all video games.

I don't know about the rest, but my BMI would probably still be 34 instead of my current 23 if it weren't for Dance Dance Revolution. Dance Dance Revolution probably played a huge role in dropping my blood pressure, blood sugar, and HDL/LDL ratio too.