Video gaming is no longer a niche hobby confined to bedroom consoles and stereotypes.
Around 92% of Aussie households now own a video gaming device and for many, especially young adults, it’s a way to socialise and unwind after a busy day.
But was mum right all along – can too much gaming be bad for you?
When gaming time starts to add up
A new Curtin University-led study suggests that playing video games for more than 10 hours a week could be linked to negative health outcomes.
The team surveyed over 300 students from five Australian universities who self-reported the number of hours they spent gaming – ‘low gamers’ (0-5 hours), ‘moderate gamers’ (5-10 hours) and ‘high gamers’ (more than 10 hours).
Co-author and nutrition scientist Professor Mario Siervo from the School of Population Health said when the groups were compared, high gamers were found to have significantly poorer diets and sleep quality.
“We saw that health behaviours began to shift as gaming hours increased.”
“Those who gamed for more than 10 hours a week slept less, or were more likely to have impaired sleep, and had higher rates of obesity.”
High gamers recorded a median body mass index (BMI) of 26.3 kg/m2, compared to low and moderate gamers whose average BMI fell within the healthy range of around 22 kg/m2.
“Ten hours might not seem like much, but across the week that’s roughly an hour and a half of video gaming per day.”
Professor Siervo said the concern is not gaming itself, but what it may replace in a person’s daily routine.
“If that time replaces sleep, physical activity or preparing balanced meals, it can start to influence long-term habits, and ultimately, impact health outcomes like we’ve seen in this study.”
While high gamers had significantly worse sleep quality, it was also common among low and moderate gamers. Professor Siervo said when people play may be just as important to monitor as how long they play.
“Many students reported gaming late in the evening or into the early hours of the morning.”
“This timing can make it harder to wind down, as screen exposure can delay the body’s natural sleep signals.”
Late-night gaming habits may also influence food and drink choices.
They often paired late-night gameplay with energy-dense snacks such as chips and highly caffeinated drinks to help keep them alert during longer sessions.
Why it matters now
Young Aussies are among the most active users of video gaming and digital entertainment, making it increasingly important to understand how these habits might impact long-term health.
Professor Siervo said university years are a particularly important time for establishing lifestyle behaviours that can carry into adulthood.
The team hopes these findings will help inform healthier gaming habits and future guidelines for young adults.
“It would be important to develop some simple guidelines around video gaming, similar to what we have for screen use.”
They are now looking to expand the study and build a stronger evidence base on how gaming behaviour interacts with lifestyle habits.
The survey has since been translated into Thai and is currently being rolled out nationally in Thailand, with the study also being replicated in universities across Italy and Spain.
A healthier way to game
Does this mean gamers should put down the controller altogether?
Professor Siervo said they don’t need to quit, but like anything, moderation is key.
“It’s not about whether you should play video games or not, it’s about asking how you can make it work as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.”
“Take regular breaks and fuel your body with healthy foods. Prioritise sleep and routines that protect your long-term health.”
This research was published in Nutrition in collaboration with the Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, University of Calgary, Canada, and the UCLA Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom.
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