Are most gamers overweight?
Mia Morrison
Updated on April 30, 2026
Researchers found that the average gamer had a BMI of 28.05. The average nongamer had a BMI of 26.55. Anyone with a BMI over 25 is overweight. The differences between the study's mental-health findings were also slight.
Is the average gamer overweight?
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Video games might be regarded as an obsession for youngsters but in fact the average player is aged 35, often overweight, introverted and may be depressed, according to a U.S. study.How are gamers not fat?
'As part of their training regime, elite esports athletes spend more than an hour per day engaging in physical exercise as a strategy to enhance gameplay and manage stress,' he said. 'Only top-level players surveyed met physical activity guidelines, with the best players exercising on average four days a week. 'Are gamers less healthy?
However, a new study shows esports video gamers are healthier and more fit than the general public. According to a new survey on studyfinds.org, esports gamers are nine to 21% more likely to have a healthy body weight than other people. The study also showed gamers are much less likely to drink alcohol or smoke.Why do gamers gain weight?
How can the correlation be explained? "We identified a significant indirect effect which shows that people who spend more time playing video games also spend less time exercising and therefore weigh more or have more body mass," the team from Würzburg and Linz writes.Gaming made me FAT?
How many gamers are overweight?
Moreover, the study found that the majority of those surveyed are overweight, regardless of their gaming patterns. Researchers found that the average gamer had a BMI of 28.05. The average nongamer had a BMI of 26.55. Anyone with a BMI over 25 is overweight.Can video games help you lose weight?
Playing active video games instead of watching TV or playing traditional video games has been shown to increase the number of calories you burn. More calories burned and fewer calories consumed is the secret to an effective weight loss plan.Are pro gamers fit?
A new study from Queensland University of Technology reports Esports gamers (professional gamers competing in tournaments for large cash prizes) are in better physical shape than a significant portion of the general population.Do gamers get exercise?
Health and gamesStill, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.
How do gamers stay in shape?
Hand and wrist exercises to boost esports healthAlso try exercises like moving your wrists in circles, flexing your fingers and stretching your wrists at least once an hour. Every game has some downtime every now and then, so put this time to good use by giving your hands and wrists some relief.