"Average gamer is 35, fat and bummed" [Really?]

Gutierrez

#1 – 8:16 AM August 21, 2009

Age: 26
Height: 6'4" (1.9m)
Weight: ~210 lbs. (95kg)
State of mind: Good, really excited about the baby my wife and I have on the way in January.

I play video games a couple hours every other day.

Oh, and for some reason every time I log in and then go back to offworld, it logs me back out. Any suggestions?

PhiCancri

#2 – 8:17 AM August 21, 2009

Age: 30
Height: 6'/183cm
Weight: 159lbs/72km
BMI: 21.6
Depression: Negative, captain

Steven Leckart

#3 – 8:28 AM August 21, 2009

So far so interesting, thanks.

@gutierrez:

Not sure, but we'll check on that...

shanealeslie

#4 – 8:39 AM August 21, 2009

Age: 36
Height: 6'
Weight: 210 lbs
BMI: 28.5 (Ouch, hadn't realized I was in the high end of the 'overweight' category, time for more slaads... I mean salads, slaads are probably fattening).
Gaming: 1 hour/day, if that - who has time?
Depression: Normal bouts of existential angst for middle aged/class, married, white IT dude in Canada I think.

Futbol Ref

#5 – 8:49 AM August 21, 2009

Age: 51
Height:6'
Weight 165 lbs
Resting pulse: 30bpm. Work out a bunch. Ref soccer and can run with the young guys (and gals).

State of mind: Above average.

Gaming: Average an hour a day but not everyday. Great for communication with my son while he is away at college while together we kill zombies, Nazis, terrorists, the Covenant and Flood and those things in Gears of War (1&2) that keep coming out of emergence holes.

Since I can't remember what the heck they are my mind must be going after all...

tpurves

#6 – 9:01 AM August 21, 2009

Guys, as of 2009 the average *american* has a mean age of 36.6 and has over 60% probability of being overweight or obese. Look it up. Sounds like the survey is spot on. This is what it means to be an average American. Deal with it.

Then put down the cheetos and high fructose corn syrup and get out of the car or go outside for a change.

that is all.

jungleFish

#7 – 10:32 AM August 21, 2009

I'm embarrassed to say that I'm definitely one who fits into the study.

Male, 35
6'2" on a good day
300lbs

And I take medication for depression and anxiety.

So, there you go.

HOWEVER: What conclusion are we supposed to draw from this study? That gaming makes you fat and depressed? Or that depressed people tend to sit around the house playing video games?

I'm leaning towards the latter. I was depressed and fat before I became a computer nerd. Diving into comp tech gave me something to take my mind off of my troubles. Although it certainly doesn't do much for my weight. But that's not the fault of games, it's me.

Vinnie

#8 – 10:53 AM August 21, 2009

While I do think that this survey had some problems I don't think that one of them was necessarily the size of the population used. As long as they are randomly chosen it only takes a population of 600 individuals to have a 95% confidence that your results are accurate to within 4% for the entire United States. Therefore, 522 may not be terribly flawed if they are chosen correctly.

hbl

#9 – 11:04 AM August 21, 2009

Age 29
Height 182cm (6ft)
Weight 102kg (225lbs)
BMI: 31

I have a high BMI, but I am built like a rugby player. Over my ideal weight, maybe, but obese - certainly not. My bodyfat % is 22%, which according to the table on Wikipedia, is 'acceptable' for a dude.

Clinically depressed? Uh uh. No way.

Also, anonymous comments do not work. I battled with that Captcha until I thought, Eff It, I'll sign in. So I'm a little chubby, what about it? You looking at me, pal?

Precarious Loaf

#10 – 11:08 AM August 21, 2009

Average Gamer = Average 35 year old American, I suspect.

Age:38
Height: 5'11
Weight: 145lbs

I game just about every weekday from 1 to 3 hours.

Olivian

#11 – 11:49 AM August 21, 2009

Scandinavian
Female, 31
1.76 m
73 kg

Have actually been depressed 1 year ago. Better now though. I think games are an easy escape if you want to run away for awhile. But they dont start the problem, my work did.

Sway

#12 – 12:04 PM August 21, 2009

American
Male, 35 (check!)
Height: 5' 11" (1.8 m)
Weight: 168 lbs (76.2 kg)
BMI: 23.4

Not depressed.
Videgames are my TV. Most days I don't have time for it. Some days I positively wallow in it. I think it's interesting that the gamer age is increasing. I think many of us assumed that every new generation would be at least as into them as we were. But maybe now they're just ubiquitous and not nearly as significant a "thing".

The_Indifferent_One

#13 – 12:30 PM August 21, 2009

Canadian
Male, 34
6'2"
200lbs (at a guess)
not a clue about BMI, fat content or my bust measurement
Not particularly depressed, certainly not clinically

game everyday, sometimes only for a 1/2 hour, sometimes for up to 8.

jackalopemonger

#14 – 1:07 PM August 21, 2009

American
Male, 23
5'8"
130lbs
BMI: 19.8
Definitely not depressed.

I generally play for about half an hour a day.

Kelso

#15 – 1:32 PM August 21, 2009

American (Midwest)
Male
Age: 32
6'0"
145lbs
I play videogames usually everyday for an hour or so. A lot more on the weekends. I'm in excellent health, do a lot of walking and I would describe my life as being very satisfying. Not at all depressed.

BonkoTheTalkingMime

#16 – 1:43 PM August 21, 2009

Age: 26
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 140
Depressed? Rarely.

I play videogames pretty much anytime I have free time. Granted, I get a lot of social contact through work (I'm a bartender) and most of my friends are customers, but when I get off work or am just not working, I like to play games.

hygraed

#17 – 2:52 PM August 21, 2009

Age: 20
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 120 lbs.
BMI: 17.2
Depressed: Not at all!

I play video games an average of 2-3 hours a day.

hdon

#18 – 5:32 PM August 21, 2009

Age: 24
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 165 lbs
BMI: Unknown
Depressed: Most of the time

I haven't really owned a game console in years. I'm interested in the industry, and in making games myself, but so few games hold my interest that I haven't found the need to own a gaming system or run Windows on my computers (GNU/Linux FTW.)

@StevenLeckart: You could have whipped up a real database-driven poll for this in about 5 minutes using Google Docs.

Also, I'm not really as offended by this study, or by the small number of participants, as you seem to be. From your article, it doesn't seem like they are making any observation about causative factors. If you're overweight and/or depressed because you don't like going outside and being active, what else are you going to do with your free time? I guess in some weird statistic-addicted nation, it brings down our average and provides fodder for haters, but really what difference does it make?

t3hmadhatter

#19 – 8:01 PM August 21, 2009

Age: 14
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 140
Depressed? Hahaha. not really.

So I guess I'm a little out-aged, but I agree that games don't start the problem, they are just included in the lifestyle of those who have the problem.

AirPillo

#20 – 3:03 AM August 22, 2009

Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 156
Depressed? No.

I'd go further and say that the time I've spent playing games when under stresses caused by everyday life has helped me avert the emotions associated with depression by allowing me to stay busy and maintain a progress-oriented focus.

Games are about achieving definite, realistic goals (in terms of the gameworld). That kind of mentality is very healthy to maintain when facing problems in everyday life.

devophill

#21 – 4:16 AM August 22, 2009

Well, crap. I guess I'm average.

darthbaws

#22 – 7:51 AM August 22, 2009

Age 33
Height: 5' 9.5"
Weight: 180
Depressed: No

I play games usually as a way to unwind, or to waste time in waiting rooms and on public transportation. I cycle 6 miles to work, and 6 miles back every day, and walk for at least 2 hours a day.

This is just another one of those "games are unhealthy" articles, but they've moved on to adults and away from children

CommandoKat

#23 – 9:20 AM August 22, 2009

Norwegian
Age: 26
Weight: 55 kg
height: 166 cm
Depressed: hell no! - al least I have the option to shoot stuff if I´m angry! Clears your head right up!

Been playing with computers for as long as I can remember.

Funny ting is that everyone I meet say that i "glow of energy" and think I´m into mountainclimbing or some random sport because I look atletic - and the truth is I could beat most "ordinary" girls if it comes to (a) fight/running/sports ect.

All that shooting is good for you, I remember when we were supposed to play paint ball at my old school and I was the last "man" standing every single round. I swear my teacher looked a bit afraid - he asked me, so what other school did you apply for except creative school - millitary school? haha! Btw i had never played paint-ball before but I guess a headshot is a headshot ;)

Oh well, it´s time to let the geeks take over the world - I freaking love it!

mtnoise

#24 – 1:37 PM August 22, 2009

'murcan
Age: 62
Weight: 150
Height: 6' - 1"
Not depressed, happily not-working. Some call it retired. Been a computer user since '66. I'm the gamer that balances that 12 yo dude online, lately 3 - 4 hrs/day.
As tpurves said above, the survey only confirms that gamers are a cross section of the population.

SeattlePete

#25 – 1:46 PM August 22, 2009

USA
Age: 37
Weight: 225lbs
Height: 6'1"
Mental State: Even-keel.

I have a beer belly, but that's because I like good beer. I ride at least 10 miles a day on my bike because I like that too. I only go to the gym about twice a week because I don't like that. I could be more fit for sure, but it's not like gaming 1 to 2 hours a day is holding me back, or making me depressed.

I work from home, so I can basically set my own hours. I'm most creative and productive in the AM, during coffee, so that's when I do most of my work. After lunch I game for an hour or two while I digest. Later, another coffee, answer some e-mails, and then it's off on the bike. Stop at the bar for a few pints on the way back and then make dinner and wait for the wife to get home.

My life is basically better than I ever imagined it would be when I was a teenager, and my gaming habits haven't changed at all in the interval.

kollin

#26 – 4:20 PM August 22, 2009

Age: 20

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 180lbs

Mental State: Stable

Um... was the sample group of people who don't game also only taken from Seattle? That's the only way this can hold any amount of credibility.

Are they sure it's not the weather in Seattle that's depressing?

RevAladdinSane

#27 – 5:47 PM August 22, 2009

BMI is a crap statistic anyways.

Yreka

#28 – 9:58 PM August 22, 2009

Age: 17
Height: 5'7"
Weight: ~165Lbs (people generally think I'm @ 130 though due to muscle weight from sports)
Mental State: Neutral. By no means depressed, but neither am I particularly happy right now, probably due to school coming up/the fact that it's been too damn hot.

I'd probably be thrown into the category of whatever's between a "gamer" and a "casual gamer."

mamarox

#29 – 10:41 AM August 23, 2009

Female
Age: 49
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 135
BMI: 23.1 (normal)
Mental State: Certifiable, but not particularly depressed (today)

I game for 1-3 hours/day almost every day.

I don't game any more or less when I'm depressed; I just game *differently*

Teufelaffe

#30 – 11:37 AM August 23, 2009

Male in the US
Age: 36
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 280

I game multiple hours a day.
I have crappy part-time job and no money.
I'm renting a room from my ex-wife and her husband.

Depressed? Hardly...I'm pretty happy at the moment. Maybe I'm just a freak. :)

Gloria

#31 – 5:39 PM August 23, 2009

Yeah, I read about this on the Stranger, and there were plenty of quips about whether the people in the study were depressed because they were gamers or because they lived in Seattle.

Canadian female
Age: 24
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 135
BMI: I really don't go for that stat. Doesn't prove a thing.

Do I count as a gamer? I do waste hours and hours on city sims and Rock Band -- but the thing is, I probably played even more when I was 19 and 25 pounds lighter.

Am I *fat*? Medically it doesn't seem so, but I bet your average jerk on the internet thinks I am.

Am I depressed? As much as normal people who have a job (in the government -- natch), have bills, wonder where their life is going as they approach 30.

It's a silly study, but interesting survey here -- just to "meet" other BB readers.

dweeborg

#32 – 8:37 PM August 23, 2009

American female
Age: 26, almost 27
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 125 lbs
BMI: ~22
Mental state: Miserable today, but generally quite good

I game 3-5 hours a day maybe three or four days a week on average, although sometimes I game a lot more and sometimes a lot less.

Honestly, I agree with those who are saying that the average gamer traits probably just happen to have a lot in common with the average American traits. I'm originally from WA, and while I do think there is a certain amount of weather-related depression there in winter, it gets seriously overblown.

Fang Xianfu

#33 – 9:55 AM August 24, 2009

Age: 22
Height: 5'10
Weight: 200lbs
Mental state: average to above-average happiness

I play games for an average of about 2hrs a day, but not every day. Weekend gaming binges, ooh yeah.

However, BMI is an utterly crap way of measuring someone's risk of... anything. It seems clear to me that people of the same height, but one who has a very narrow build and one a very wide build will have different optimal weights, and BMI does nothing to account for that.

My mother's family have very wide builds, and since she's only 5 feet tall there's literally nothing she can do to get into even the "overweight" section (which is only 11 stones at that height). She's run at least one marathon a year for the past 7 or 8 years - she's not unhealthy by any stretch of the imagination - but according to the BMI, she's dangerously overweight.

mdh

#34 – 10:32 AM August 24, 2009

Male
Age: 35
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 185 lbs
Mental state: fine, thanks for asking.

Skwid

#35 – 11:21 AM August 24, 2009

Male
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 165
Mental state: Sleep deprived, but otherwise fine.

I game approximately an hour a day.

Nasty

#36 – 11:32 AM August 24, 2009

Male

Age: 32

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 210 lbs

Mental state: Happiness is a head shot away.

I game non-stop with breaks only for biological functions. And smoking cigarettes, weed, because I have to go outside to do that.

Gumby

#37 – 11:36 AM August 24, 2009

Female in US
Age 32
Height 5'4"
Weight 165-170 lbs, down from 195 on account of the 9 lb baby I just birthed, thank you!

I've had two struggles with depression within the last 5 years, each lasting about 5 months. Been great for the past year and a half. In college I was extroverted, but otherwise in my life I keep to myself at home.

If I'm not on the consoles, I'm playing online, small casual games or Guild Wars.

twiggy_trippit

#38 – 3:28 PM August 24, 2009

Male in Quebec
Age: 31
Height 5'7"
Weight 130-135 pounds (I'm definitely NOT overweight)

I've had ups and downs, but nothing that ever required medication. No mental health diagnostics.

I'd say that I play between 5-10 hours of video games a week. It used to be a lot more when I was longer, but now I have a life. :P Seriously, video games have been an important outlet in my teenage years, and it's definitely helped me make friends, having a common interest to share.

Statisticians should stop focusing on the average as a statistical tool. It's really limitative.

theraptscallion

#39 – 3:51 PM August 24, 2009

American Male
Age: 26
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 186 (weighed myself just for this)
Depression: when I was 16 maybe, but not since. My temper definitely gets shorter after 40 minutes of sustained FPS, but that could be the adrenaline of headshotting zombies by the truckload.

Grobstein

#40 – 5:03 PM August 24, 2009

American Male
Age 25
Height 5'8.5"
Weight 145-50 (low fat)

Mental state: undiagnosed

I'm an exercise junkie, though. Running is a form of escapism for me, like videogames. If I didn't get tired out, I'd lose whole days to it.

Matthew_H

#41 – 5:46 AM August 25, 2009

Male
Age: 25
Height: 1.8m (5'11")
Weight: 75kg (~165 lbs.)
State of mind: I have my mood swings, and I've been pretty stressed lately, but nothing even approaching clinical depression. People tend to describe me as a cheerful person, and I don't disagree.
Gaming: Very, very little in recent months (few hours weekly), but I normally exceed 2 hours/day

I do agree this sounds like average gamer = average American.

Pavlovia

#42 – 9:57 AM August 25, 2009

Female - Canadian
Age: 33
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 125 lbs.
BMI: 20
State of mind: Stressed but stable . . . and trying to work gaming into a class I'm designing.