Engaging in video games for over 10 hours weekly could start negatively influencing the dietary choices, sleep patterns, and body mass of young individuals, as revealed by recent research spearheaded by Curtin University and featured in the journal Nutrition.
Study Overview and Participant Demographics
This investigation involved surveying 317 students from five different universities throughout Australia. The participants had a median age of 20 years, highlighting a critical period in young adulthood when lifelong habits are typically established and solidified.
Categorizing Gamers by Weekly Playtime
The research team classified the students according to their self-reported weekly video gaming duration. The groups consisted of light gamers, who spent 0-5 hours per week; moderate gamers, with 5-10 hours; and heavy gamers, exceeding 10 hours weekly.
Health metrics showed remarkable consistency between the light and moderate gaming cohorts. Yet, surpassing the 10-hour threshold per week marked a noticeable shift, with heavier gamers displaying deteriorating overall health profiles compared to their peers.
Professor Mario Siervo, affiliated with the Curtin School of Population Health, emphasized that the key issue lies in excessive play rather than gaming as a pastime in moderation.
He noted, “Students who gamed up to 10 hours weekly exhibited striking similarities in their dietary habits, sleep quality, and body weight metrics.”
“Significant deviations only became apparent among those exceeding 10 hours, setting them distinctly apart from the broader participant pool,” he added.
Declining Nutrition and Rising Obesity Risks
Analysis indicated a drop in nutritional quality for students whose gaming exceeded 10 hours per week. Furthermore, those in the heavy gaming category demonstrated a higher propensity for obesity relative to lighter players.
Heavy gamers had a median BMI of 26.3 kg/m², whereas light gamers averaged 22.2 kg/m² and moderate gamers 22.8 kg/m², both aligning with healthier weight categories.
Professor Siervo explained, “Every extra hour devoted to gaming correlated with reduced diet quality, independent of variables like stress levels, exercise routines, and other behavioral influences.”
Gaming Duration and Sleep Quality Impairment
Although sleep quality was subpar universally, moderate and heavy gamers consistently reported inferior rest compared to light gamers. The findings established a robust correlation between extended gaming sessions and heightened sleep disturbances.
“While this research does not establish causation, it uncovers a compelling association suggesting that overindulgence in gaming could elevate various health risks,” Professor Siervo clarified.
Long-Term Implications of Gaming Routines
The researchers concluded that moderate gaming levels generally do not present issues for university students. Problems surface when prolonged gaming displaces vital activities like nutritious eating, adequate rest, and regular physical exertion.
“Our results affirm that light to moderate gaming is typically harmless, but heavy engagement risks supplanting beneficial practices such as maintaining a nutritious diet, securing sufficient sleep, and remaining physically engaged,” they stated.
Given that behaviors formed during university years often persist into later life stages, adopting strategies like scheduled gaming breaks, steering clear of late-night sessions, and opting for wholesome snacks could significantly enhance students’ holistic health and vitality.
The full study, entitled “Video Gaming Linked to Unhealthy Diet, Poor Sleep Quality and Lower Physical Activity Levels in Australian University Students,” appears in the journal Nutrition.
