London – A recent study indicates negative health impacts for young people. Playing video games for over 10 hours weekly affects diet quality. It also impacts sleep and Body Mass Index (BMI).
The journal Nutrition published these study findings. The study included 317 students. They were from five Australian universities. Their average age was 20 years. Participants self-reported their video game playing duration. They were divided into three categories. Low participation was 0 to 5 hours per week. Moderate participation was 5 to 10 hours weekly. Active players spent over 10 hours per week gaming.
Results showed similar health indicators for rare or moderate players. Health indicators significantly declined beyond the 10-hour weekly threshold. Professor Mario Siervo from Curtin University, Australia, confirmed this. The harm is not from video games themselves. It stems from excessive play. Students playing up to 10 hours weekly showed no significant differences. Their nutrition, sleep, and BMI indicators remained stable. Clear differences appeared in those exceeding this limit.
The study revealed a decline in diet quality among active players. They also had higher obesity rates. This was compared to rare or moderate players. Active players had an average BMI of 26.3 kg/m². Low and moderate players stayed within the healthy range. Their BMIs were 22.2 kg/m² and 22.8 kg/m² respectively. Siervo noted each additional hour of weekly play reduces diet quality. This holds true even when accounting for stress. It also considers physical activity levels and other lifestyle factors.
Regarding sleep, all categories reported reduced quality. The effect was more pronounced in moderate and active players. Increased play hours directly linked to sleep disturbances. The researcher concluded the study does not prove a direct causal link. It doesn’t directly connect video games to these health issues. However, it reveals a clear pattern. Excessive gaming may increase health risk factors. Moderate play is generally harmless. Overuse can displace vital healthy habits. These include balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and physical activity. He added that adopting healthy practices during college is beneficial. This includes taking breaks from gaming. Avoiding long night sessions is also important. Choosing healthy snacks can help. These practices contribute to long-term general health improvement.