Die Körperzusammensetzung von Hobbygamern im Vergleich zu deutschlandweit erhobenen Referenzdaten

About two thirds of adults in Germany are overweight or obese. While an increase in the consumption of high-calorie food is considered the main cause, the influence of various forms of sedentary activities is still controversially discussed. The aim of the present study is to compare the body composition of hobby gamers with reference data collected throughout Germany and to examine the effects of intensive use of computer games (gaming) on body composition. A total of 68 male participants of a computer game event aged 18–46 years (27.9 years; 180.1?cm; 83.5?kg; BMI 25.7) were examined for fat mass, body cell mass, extracellular mass, body water and phase angle using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA, Nutriguard MS type, data input). Ten test persons were retested by means of segmental 8?electrode BIA after a 24?h interval during their visit to the event. As a reference sample, data from 278 male adults of the same age (27.9 years, 179.4?cm; 78.8?kg; BMI 24.5) were collected in 168 locations throughout Germany. The hobby gamers reported on average 37.1?h screen media usage per week. Compared to the reference sample, they showed a slightly higher body cell mass index (p?<?0.01, T?=?4.07), but no differences in fat mass index (p?=?0.96, T?=?0.05) and phase angle (p?=?0.90, T?=?0.12). A significant increase in body water (T₀: 48.2?l, T₀₊₂₄?_h: 49.3?l; p?=?0.04, T?=?2.39) and decrease in the phase angle of the lower extremities (T₀:?7.40, T₀₊₂₄?_h: ?6.85; p?<?0.01, T?=?5.40) was observed in the 24?h retest. Compared to the reference data collected throughout Germany, hobby gamers show no differences in health-relevant parameters of body composition. Nevertheless, after intensive gaming, a short-term increase in the amount of extracellular water in the lower extremities was found. Due to these disturbances in the water balance, the consequent execution of movement breaks during gaming is important.