Scientists at the University of Iowa have published a report claiming that videogames are responsible for poor dental health in 12-16 year olds. It’s alleged that snacking on sugary foods whilst taking part in ‘screen activities’ is largely to blame for dental problems. Apparently kids are more likely to eat snack foods when playing videogames than whilst they are just watching TV. I find that hard to believe – surely your hands are too busy with the controller to be picking at snacks all the time?

Dr Nigel Carter, chief exec of the British Dental Health Foundation welcomed the findings of the report, saying ‘This study helps our understanding of the dietary habits and subsequent decay risk of gamers where the effects were previously unknown’.

When it was put to him that some games (rock band, DJ hero, wii games) actually encourage activity as part of gameplay and give gamers less of a chance to snack mid-game he replied ‘…if the game was more actively involved then there would be less chance of snacking during the game, but the risk is that overexertion will cause thirst and hunger so this could still lead to snacking’.

So, us gamers are now not only socially inept misfits who are more than likely going to go on gun toting rampages at some point in our lives, but it would appear that we will all be sporting toothless grins while we do it.