China online addict dies after "marathon" session

BEIJING, Feb 28 (Reuters) An obese 26-year-old man in northeastern China died after a ''marathon'' online gaming session over the Lunar New Year holiday, state media said today.

The 150-kg man from Jinzhou, in Liaoning province, collapsed on Saturday, the last day of the holiday, after spending ''almost all'' of the seven-day break playing online games, the China Daily said, citing his parents.

Xu Yan, a local teacher, said the ''dull life'' during the holiday prompted many people to turn to computer games for entertainment.

''There are only two options. TV or computer. What else can I do in the holiday as all markets, KTV and cafeterias are shut down?'' the paper quoted Xu as saying.

China has seen an alarming rise in the number of teenage and young adult Internet addicts in recent years, despite attempts to restrict minors from cybercafes and limit online game playing times.

About 2.6 million -- or 13 per cent -- of China's 20 million Internet users under 18 are classed as addicts, state media have reported.

Reuters PDM VP1140