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Gaming Overload: 10 Hours Affects Diet, Sleep
15 Jan
Summary
- More than 10 hours weekly gaming linked to poor diet quality.
- High gamers show significantly higher BMI than moderate gamers.
- Excessive gaming may displace healthy habits like sleep and meals.
Excessive video gaming, exceeding 10 hours per week, is strongly associated with negative health consequences for young adults, according to a recent study. This research highlights a critical threshold where gaming time significantly impacts diet quality, sleep patterns, and body weight. Moderate gaming, however, does not appear to pose similar risks.
The study, which surveyed 317 university students in Australia, revealed that high gamers exhibited poorer dietary habits and a higher median Body Mass Index (BMI) of 26.3 kg/m², placing them in the overweight category. Each additional hour of gaming was linked to a decline in diet quality, even after controlling for other lifestyle factors.
While sleep quality was generally poor, longer gaming sessions, especially late at night, correlated with increased sleep disruption. Although gaming itself can offer benefits, the study suggests that excessive play displaces vital healthy routines like balanced eating and adequate rest, indicating simple interventions could mitigate risks.
