This article was on the Yahoo main page and I though it was interesting.

 

 

 

[hide=]The average gamer is 35, overweight, and more likely to be depressed, says a new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

 

 

The study, which was carried out in the Seattle-Tacoma area, found that gamers 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."

 

 

 

It also indicated a curious difference between male and female gamers: the former proved more overweight and reported more Internet usage than non-gamer men, while female gamers reported more depression and lower general health than non-gamer women.

 

 

 

But which comes first, the games or the poor health? The researchers hypothesized that depressed individuals might be turning to games as a means of self-medication, immersing themselves in a game's world as a way of forgetting about real-life troubles.

 

 

 

"Habitual use of video games as a coping response may [provide] a genesis for obsessive-compulsive video-game playing, if not video-game addiction," one researcher told MSNBC. The study calls for "further research among adults to clarify how to use digital opportunities more effectively to promote health and prevent disease."

 

 

 

As luck would have it, a study at East Carolina University funded by Bejeweled maker Popcap Games is also investigating the possible mental health benefits of game playing. Having already discovered that Bejeweled can improve mood and heart rhythms, the Carolina group is about to embark on an investigation in an attempt to determine whether games like Bejeweled can also deliver clinically significant improvements to depression sufferers.

 

 

 

"The research is part of a broad array of unconventional efforts that video game companies are devising to find new markets for their products," says Shankar Vedantam, writing this week for the Washington Post. "Many of these steps are based on the idea that depression and other disorders -- as well as everyday stress and worry -- involve systematic patterns of thought and self-doubt, and that games can distract people and put them in a different mental zone."

 

 

 

by Mike Smith[/hide]

 

 

 

What do you guys think about it?

It's called moderation. That's all I am going to say.

The title is misleading, since the actual evidence seems just as likely if not more likely to suggest that depressed people are attracted to gaming because it provides an escape mechanism to help them cope. That's pretty much the opposite of what the title implies.

 

 

 

"Gaming linked to depression" is not the same as "Games are depressing." If you think that way, you could also conclude that cough syrup causes colds and that eating causes hunger.

 

 

 

[hide=xkcd][/hide]

That seems like a really terrible "study". If you can't understand Cause/correlation you really shouldn't be doing research.

I guess if you play videogames all the time it's plenty true. Those kids are nerds. But most people I know that play games just play when they're bored. A lot of people that play games like Runescape and World of Warcraft do seem to be more introverted and more likely to be over/underweight.

 

 

 

Not that great of a study, though. I mean, c'mon. The study was conducted in Seattle, too.

It's called moderation. That's all I am going to say.

 

Agreed. I play games all the time, I get good grades and am pretty healthy. Not depressed either.

 

Not that great of a study, though. I mean, c'mon. The study was conducted in Seattle, too.

 

If I'm not mistaken isn't this is also the city that prescribes the most antidepressants?

 

They definitely represent the whole of gamers.

 

Not that great of a study, though. I mean, c'mon. The study was conducted in Seattle, too.

 

If I'm not mistaken isn't this is also the city that prescribes the most antidepressants?

 

They definitely represent the whole of gamers.

 

 

 

Hey did you guys know 98% of gamers are Asian?

 

 

 

~Local study in Japan

The title is misleading, since the actual evidence seems just as likely if not more likely to suggest that depressed people are attracted to gaming because it provides an escape mechanism to help them cope. That's pretty much the opposite of what the title implies.

 

 

 

"Gaming linked to depression" is not the same as "Games are depressing." If you think that way, you could also conclude that cough syrup causes colds and that eating causes hunger.

 

 

 

[hide=xkcd][/hide]

 

I'd say you nailed it. Why did they do that? More views. Most people already know video games are common escape mechanisms, however the games themselves causing depression? - that's new! It's unfortunate they turn to such cheap tricks just to get your attention.

 

 

 

Luckily this is a gaming forum. Otherwise the anti-gaming activists would go crazy with this one.

 

 

 

Love the comic, by the way. :)

The ending to Fallout 3 made me very sad and not a "wow this is art *wistful tear*" more like aauuughhhhh.

I guarentee the average gamer is not 35. I also guarentee the average is not fat.

 

 

 

Mostly scrawny teens.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/new-s ... consumers/

 

 

 

Most video game players especially when it comes to consoles are middle aged, 25 to 45 year olds, not teens. Kids aged under 18 are a significant marketing segment in the video game industry but by no means the largest.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/new-study-compares-360-ps3-consumers/

 

 

 

Most video game players especially when it comes to consoles are middle aged, 25 to 45 year olds, not teens. Kids aged under 18 are a significant marketing segment in the video game industry but by no means the largest.

 

 

 

 

 

Indeed. Teens are the target market by the companies, but they don't end up being the largest demographic. The only reason they are the target is because they can scream 'Daddy daddy! I want that!' and they will probably get it.

Omg r u serious I r gotz 95 wcing yesterday... :cry:

 

 

 

[/sarcasm]

 

 

 

Titles are meant to be misleading, that's why you buy newspapers :P

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/new-study-compares-360-ps3-consumers/

 

 

 

Most video game players especially when it comes to consoles are middle aged, 25 to 45 year olds, not teens. Kids aged under 18 are a significant marketing segment in the video game industry but by no means the largest.

 

I'd assume it's because the average teen would either not have a job and be unable to afford a new $60 game every so often, or have a job but have no time to play the games.