Turns Out the Average Gamer is 35, Fat and Depressed

He looks just like me!

Oh science, is there any stereotype you can’t empirically prove? In a study conducted by the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Emory University and Andrews University, researchers surveyed over 500 adults from ages 19 to 90, aiming to show that video games are correlated with very bad things. Well guess what?

“The findings, “differentiated adult video-game players from nonplayers. Video-game players also reported lower extraversion, consistent with research on adolescents that linked video-game playing to a sedentary lifestyle and overweight status, and to mental-health concerns.”

When all was said and done, it turns out that on average, a gamer is likely a 35 year-old fat man who suffers from depression and is socially awkward. This has long been the stereotype of gamers for years (though I would have thought the median age would be a bit lower) so nothing really good is coming out of this study for the game industry. However, with the Wii now in practically every home in the universe, it will likely be the case that these numbers will shift, as more non-depressed kids and fit grandmothers start playing video games.

More findings:

“Among men who play video games, compared to those who don’t, “male video-game players spend more time using the Internet and rely more on Internet-community social support,” researchers said. “They also tend to report higher BMI and lower extraversion.

“These findings illustrate that, among men, the association among sedentary behaviors, physical inactivity, and overweight status observed in children and young adults may extend into adulthood.”

Both male and female video game players spend more time than nonplayers seeking friendship and support on the Internet, the study found, “a finding consistent with prior research pointing to the willingness of adult video-game enthusiasts to sacrifice real-world social activities to play video games.”

I will say that I do think the generation below me is being raised to be a bunch of lazy-asses, and their parents need to kick them into gear and make them play some sports. Sure, I played copious amounts of Nintendo growing up, but I also played soccer for 18 years. There’s always time to do everything if you do things in moderation. Hence why I grew up to be a skinny, non-depressed 22 year-old. Thanks mom and dad!