Video games may affect health after about 10 hours a week

A study of roughly 300 Australian students found playing more than 10 hours of video games per week was linked to poorer diet, worse sleep scores and a higher average BMI; researchers said the study does not prove causation.

A new study published in Nutrition examined game time and several health measures in a group of young adults. Researchers divided more than 300 Australian students (average age about 20) into three groups by weekly gaming: 0–5 hours, 5–10 hours, and more than 10 hours. The report compared diet quality, sleep scores and body mass index across those groups. Authors cautioned the study shows associations and does not prove gaming causes the outcomes. Main findings: - Study groups were low (0–5 hours), moderate (5–10 hours) and high (more than 10 hours) weekly gaming. - Participants who played more than 10 hours per week showed lower diet quality, worse sleep scores and a higher average BMI; the article described the average BMI as 26.3. - The researchers noted the results are associative and flagged related concerns reported in other studies, such as links between heavy gaming and gambling-like features in some games. Summary: The study reports a pattern associating heavier weekly gaming (over 10 hours) with several poorer health measures among these young adults. Undetermined at this time.