Higher video gaming frequency was associated with poorer diet quality and increased BMI among university students, with total gaming hours independently predicting poorer diet quality after controlling for demographic and lifestyle factors.
Key Findings
Results
High-frequency gamers had significantly poorer diet quality scores compared to low-frequency gamers.
High-frequency gamers (>10 h/wk) had a median diet quality score of 45.0 versus 50.0 for low-frequency gamers (0-5 h/wk), P < 0.001.
Gaming frequency negatively correlated with diet quality (r = -0.26, P < 0.001).
Multiple regression analysis revealed total gaming hours independently predicted poorer diet quality (β = -0.16, P = 0.02) after controlling for demographic and lifestyle factors.
Diet quality was assessed using the Diet Quality Tool in a cross-sectional survey of 317 Western Australian university students.
Results
High-frequency gamers had significantly higher BMI compared to low-frequency gamers.
High-frequency gamers had a median BMI of 26.3 kg/m² versus 22.2 kg/m² for low-frequency gamers, P < 0.001.
Gaming frequency positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.38, P < 0.001), the strongest correlation observed in the study.
Participants were categorized into tertiles: low (0-5 h/wk), moderate (6-10 h/wk), and high (>10 h/wk) gaming frequency.
Results
High-frequency gamers had worse sleep quality compared to low-frequency gamers.
High-frequency gamers had a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of 7.0 versus 6.0 for low-frequency gamers, P < 0.001.
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
The study sample consisted of 317 Western Australian university students surveyed cross-sectionally.
Results
Gaming frequency was negatively correlated with physical activity levels.
Gaming frequency negatively correlated with physical activity (r = -0.13, P = 0.03).
Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
The correlation with physical activity was weaker than those observed for diet quality (r = -0.26) and BMI (r = 0.38).
Methods
The study assessed multiple health and behavioral variables across gaming frequency tertiles in Australian university students.
317 Western Australian university students participated in a cross-sectional survey.
Participants were categorized into tertiles based on gaming frequency: low (0-5 h/wk), moderate (6-10 h/wk), and high (>10 h/wk).
Multiple regression analysis controlled for demographic and lifestyle factors when examining the independent effect of gaming on diet quality.
What This Means
This research examined how much time university students in Western Australia spend playing video games and how that relates to their health. The study surveyed 317 students and divided them into three groups based on their weekly gaming hours: low (0-5 hours), moderate (6-10 hours), and high (more than 10 hours). The researchers measured diet quality, physical activity, sleep quality, eating behaviors, and stress levels across these groups.
The study found that students who gamed the most had noticeably worse health outcomes across several measures. High-frequency gamers had lower diet quality scores, higher BMIs (a measure of body weight relative to height), and worse sleep quality compared to low-frequency gamers. More gaming time was also associated with less physical activity. Even after accounting for other factors like demographics and lifestyle, the total number of hours spent gaming still independently predicted poorer diet quality.
This research suggests that excessive video gaming among university students may be linked to a cluster of unhealthy behaviors — poorer eating, less exercise, and disrupted sleep — that together could increase health risks. The authors note that these findings support the case for public health interventions aimed at university populations, targeting excessive gaming while promoting healthier lifestyle habits. Because the study was cross-sectional (a snapshot in time), it cannot establish whether gaming causes these health issues or whether students with certain health profiles are more likely to game heavily.
Kaewpradup T, Deric S, Uren H, Nguyen V, Pereira L, Coorey R, et al.. (2026). Video gaming linked to unhealthy diet, poor sleep quality and lower physical activity levels in Australian university students.. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2025.113051