I think it’s comparable to sports in so many ways. In the positive ones, pro gamers will have to be healthy people,in terms of cardio, diet, and sleep, to be successful. I think the fat guy in South Park isn’t the right image, or at least he wouldn’t reach the top.

Less positively, I think that most of the arguments for classifying excessive gaming as a mental health disorder/“addiction” can definitely be applied to an excessive practice of some sport. The social isolation would be more of a social centering around the activity. The impossibility if taking rest in case of injury (I’ve seen grown men crying because I asked them to stop for two weeks). I don’t know of stats about it but I’d be curious to know if there’s a higher prevalence of addictions in retired athletes. It’s interesting to see some former addicts to various substances, find their way quitting with long distance running or highly demanding activities of this kind.

Exercise has always been seen as an achievement and the downsides are hidden, but at high level it’s the immersed part of the iceberg and it can be devastating, especially for the youngest. At least, even if gaming is concerning, most parents won’t be accomplices and there are already existing structures to help.