Overview
- Curtin University-led research surveying 317 students at five Australian universities found high-frequency players reported poorer diet quality, worse sleep and higher body weight than peers.
- Median BMI reached 26.3 kg/m2 in the 10+ hours group versus 22.2–22.8 in lower-play groups, with obesity more prevalent among heavy players.
- Each additional gaming hour correlated with a small decline in diet quality even after adjustments for stress, physical activity and other lifestyle factors.
- Sleep quality was generally poor across the sample but deteriorated further with more gaming, with moderate and high players reporting greater disruption.
- The cross-sectional, self-reported study, published in Nutrition, recommends simple steps such as taking breaks, avoiding late-night sessions and choosing healthier snacks.