Online Gamers Healthier Than You May Think

In a study done at the University of Southern California, online gamers were studied. Results showed that many were healthier than the average American. Some also were more wealthy.

When one thinks of the average online gamer, their first thought is that the gamer is probably an overweight, pale pimply-faced kid. But that stereotype of the avid online gamer is not as accurate as some might think.

Today's online gamers could be more fit than the average American, at least according to a study done by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. The university surveyed 7000 gamers who play Everquest II, an online role-playing game, in order to learn more about their mental and physical health.

The study found that the gamers averaged out with a body mass index of 25,2 compared to the American average of 28.

Additionally, the average gamer surveyed spent time weekly engaged in some form of physical exercise. Sometimes this would be twice per week, more than the American average. Those that play online games also were often somewhat wealthier than Average Americans as well.

Researchers at the University of Delaware stated however that many online gamers are using the online gaming in order to help them deal with emotional distress. In fact their studies showed that many online gamers may even be dealing with depression or substance abuse.

The UK coming to the rescue is Trent University. Their studies found that most gamers simply exhibit a healthy enthusiasm for their gaming as a hobby, rather than an addiction.

Of course these results are also completely limited as it only looked at one online video game and did not include other online games such as World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online in the MMORPG genre. Nor did the survey consider online gaming of those who might prefer to participate in online first-person shooter games such as Call of Duty or the Halo series'.