Heavy Video Gaming Tied to Poor Diet, Sleep, and Weight in Students

Spending more than 10 hours a week playing video games may negatively affect diet quality, sleep, and body weight among university students, according to a study led by Curtin University and published in Nutrition.

Researchers surveyed 317 students from five Australian universities, with a median age of 20. Participants were grouped into low (0–5 hours), moderate (5–10 hours), and high (10+ hours) gamers. Health outcomes were similar for low and moderate gamers, but notable declines appeared once gaming exceeded 10 hours per week.

Students in the high-gaming group reported poorer diets and higher body weight, with a median body mass index of 26.3 compared with healthier ranges among lighter gamers. Each additional hour of gaming was linked to lower diet quality, even after accounting for other lifestyle factors.

Sleep quality was generally poor across all groups, but longer gaming hours were associated with greater sleep disruption. Researchers say moderate gaming appears harmless, while excessive gaming may displace healthy daily habits.

21-01-2026