E-sportsmen are healthier than average

E-sports players drink and smoke less and have a better weight than their non-gamers, a recent study shows.

Contrary to stereotype, computer gamers are apparently healthier than the average population. That's the conclusion of a study conducted by Australia's Queensland University of Technology and Sweden's Umea University. The scientists interviewed 1,400 e-sports players from 65 countries about their lifestyle. According to the study, active gamers are particularly healthy.

The respondents have between nine and 21 percent higher probability of being normal weight. The basis of measurement is the body mass index (BMI). Gamers reported smoking and drinking alcohol less than the average person. Notably, the most successful ten percent were particularly active in sports. "The results challenge the stereotype of the morbidly obese gamer," says researcher Michael Trotter of Queensland University. According to the findings, the most successful ten percent did an hour of exercise a day for stress relief and to improve their game.