Curtin University study reveals how too many hours of video gaming can harm weight, sleep quality

A maximum of 10 hours per week is the limit for video gamers and any more playing time risks harming their diet, sleep quality and waistlines, new WA research shows.

The Curtin University research, published in the journal Nutrition on Thursday, found that health outcomes became dramatically worse once gamers’ playing habits exceeded 10 hours per week.

Participants who reported low levels of video gaming — 0 to 5 hours per week — and moderate gamers — 5 to 10 hours per week — reported much better health levels.

The quality of a gamers’ diet reduced when they played more than 10 hours per week and excessive gamers were more likely to be obese than the low and moderate groups, the research showed.

Excessive gamers had an average body mass index of 26.3kg/m², compared to the healthy range of 22.2kg/m².

Low and moderate gamers had a similar average BMI of 22.8kg/m².

The moderate and high gamer groups also recorded poorer quality sleep with more video gaming hours showing a significant link to sleep disruption.

Curtin School of Population Health professor Mario Siervo said the findings suggested excessive gaming was the key issue, rather than video gaming itself.

“Each additional hour of gaming per week was linked to a decline in diet quality, even after accounting for stress, physical activity and other lifestyle factors,” he said.

“This study doesn’t prove gaming causes these issues, but it shows a clear pattern that excessive gaming may be linked to an increase in health risk factors.

“Our data suggests low and moderate gaming is generally fine, but excessive gaming may crowd out healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, sleeping properly and staying active.

“Because university habits often follow people into adulthood, healthier routines such as taking breaks from gaming, avoiding playing games late at night and choosing healthier snacks may help improve their overall wellbeing.”

The research came from a survey of more than 300 students, with an average age of 20, from five West Australians universities about their gaming habits.

An estimated 92 per cent of Australian households engage in some video gaming activities.

Among university students, gaming prevalence is particularly high, with many reporting regular engagement across video arcade games, computer games, and internet gaming.

The study also found high-frequency gamers were more likely to be men.

“What stood out was students gaming up to 10 hours a week all looked very similar in terms of diet, sleep and body weight,” Professor Siervo said.

“The real differences emerged in those gaming more than 10 hours a week, who showed clear divergence from the rest of the sample.”