New research claims to have found a "strong correlation" between videogame playing and obesity among children and young adults.

Almost half of American 12 to 17 year-olds spend more than two hours a day glued to a computer or TV screen, while more than one in seven children are overweight.

The findings are from the F as in Fat (PDF) annual report from the Data Resource Center on Child and Adolescent Health.

Analysis of the figures reveals a "strong positive correlation" between hours spent on TV/video gameplay and the percentage of children classed as overweight in the US.

The state of Utah had the lowest percentage of overweight children, and the second lowest proportion of children spending two or more hours on TV/video game play.

The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of overweight children, and the highest percentage of children spending four hours-plus in front of a screen every day.