New research suggests young women who play computer games have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that women of normal weight who played computer games for at least one hour a day were more likely to develop overweight during the five-year study period compared with women who did not play.

"The increased BMI in those who played computer games for more than two hours a day would for a young woman of average height and weight equal an additional weight gain of 3.7 kilos. That calculation takes other risk factors for obesity into account, such as age, occupation, total daily computer time, physical activity during free time, sleep and perceived social support," researcher Sara Thomée said in a statement.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from more than 2,500 women in their 20s. The study participants responded to a survey on three different occasions: in 2007, 2008 and 2012. Researchers at used the survey to investigate whether the amount of time young people spend e-mailing, chatting or playing computer games in their free time affects their body mass index (BMI).

Thomée said the same development was not found in men and it is unclear why that's the case. Further studies are needed to verify the results and identify possible causes.

The findings are detailed in the journal BMC Public Health.