Growing Concerns Over Weekly Gaming Habits
A new investigation from researchers at Curtin University in Perth points to the number of weekly gaming hours that may negatively affect the diet sleep and weight of young people. The familiar sight of youths spending long sessions in front of screens has prompted experts to explore how extended gameplay shapes health outcomes.
The 10 Hour Threshold
The study published in the journal Nutrition suggests that gaming for more than 10 hours a week can lead to serious disruptions in key aspects of daily life ultimately impacting overall health.
How Researchers Conducted the Study
The team evaluated 317 students from 5 Australian universities with an average age of 20. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on self reported weekly gaming time. The first group played 0 to 5 hours weekly the second 5 to 10 hours and the third more than 10 hours. Light and moderate gamers showed similar health markers while those exceeding 10 hours displayed noticeable declines.
Heavy Gaming Not Gaming Itself Is the Issue
Professor Mario Siervo from Curtin Universitys School of Population Health emphasized that the core problem lies in excessive gaming rather than gaming in general.
"The big differences appeared above 10 hours. Players staying within 10 hours weekly showed similar patterns in diet sleep and body weight while those beyond that threshold diverged significantly."
What Differences Emerged
The most intense gamers recorded poorer diet quality and higher obesity rates. Their average Body Mass Index reached 26.3 kg/m2 compared to 22.2 kg/m2 and 22.8 kg/m2 in the light and moderate groups. Since a BMI above 25 indicates overweight the findings suggest a meaningful association. Professor Siervo added that every extra hour of gaming weekly correlated with a drop in diet quality even when accounting for variables such as stress and physical activity.
Links to Sleep Disturbances
Although all groups reported generally poor sleep quality moderate and heavy gamers scored worse. The results showed a clear pattern where more weekly gaming hours aligned with stronger reports of sleep related issues.
Clear Pattern of Increased Health Risks
Professor Siervo explained that the study does not prove that gaming directly causes health problems. However it reveals a consistent pattern connecting excessive gaming with higher chances of poor diet low quality sleep and unhealthy weight. He added that low and moderate gaming generally did not produce negative effects while heavy gaming disrupted healthy lifestyle habits.
Recommendations for Gamers
To help gamers protect their wellbeing he suggested taking regular breaks avoiding late night gaming and choosing healthier snacks to support better physical health.
