Video games and their associations with physical health: a scoping review

Pelletier, Vincent Huard; Lessard, Arianne; Piché, Florence; Tétreau, Charles; Descarreaux, Martin

doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000832

Cited by 34 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Online games have been linked with negative health impacts on nutritional outcomes as a result of increased consumption of savoury snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages during gameplay or an increased likelihood of skipping meals [ 9 ]. An association between video games and an increased risk of a higher BMI [ 9 ], lower general health status, and higher levels of sedentary behaviour were also found [ 10 ]. Stress markers during video gameplay have been shown to increase the number of calories consumed, with a preference for fatty and sweet foods [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Health of Emerging Adult Gamers—A Scoping Review of Influences

Micallef¹,

Parker²,

Brennan³

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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Emerging adults (EAs), defined as adults aged 18 to 25, remain a difficult group to engage in healthy behaviours (including positive dieting and eating patterns). The environmental elements that influence the health behaviours of EAs have been studied. However, the literature is mixed on how online game environments, including eSports and game streaming, can be used to positively engage EAs. In this scoping review, we identified and analysed research on online games, EAs, and dietary patterns to create a behavioural ecological map of influences that intersect with EAs through online games. In total, 75 studies were found, identifying 23 influences that intersect with EAs through their online game use. ESports organisations, eSports athletes, and content creators may be areas of future research (and intervention) as these factors could positively influence the dietary behaviours of EAs (through online games).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Health of Emerging Adult Gamers—A Scoping Review of Influences

Micallef¹,

Parker²,

Brennan³

et al. 2022

Nutrients

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“…They also have the highest usage of social media among any age group [ 28 ]. The high use of digital media, including video games, is also linked to the health of EAs, with studies showing that increased screen time can have an impact on body mass index and dietary behaviours [ 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Scoping studies are an appropriate methodology when exploring the depth and breadth of a research in a particular field [ 31 ]. Scoping studies are particularly necessary when not much is known about the phenomenon in question [ 29 ], and where there are no a priori hypotheses to test with more formal meta-analyses or systematic reviews [ 31 ]. Scoping reviews aim to map existing research, include a greater range of study designs, and provide a descriptive overview rather than synthesize available research [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As recently outlined by Nagata, et al [ 33 ], important gaps in knowledge should be addressed to advance this important field of research, including examinations of current scholarly literature. Whilst a scoping review into the link between video games and physical health has been conducted by Huard Pelletier et al [ 29 ], to the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first scoping review to look at online games as part of a broader ecology of physical activity and diet behaviour of EAs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Where Do Online Games Fit into the Health Behaviour Ecology of Emerging Adults: A Scoping Review

Micallef¹,

Brennan²,

Parker³

et al. 2021

Nutrients

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Online video games are a common pastime for emerging adults (EAs). EAs are an age group that is of interest in health communication because habits formed during this life stage can cause or prevent disease later in life. Guided by three research questions, this scoping review identifies the current state of research into socio-ecological influences on physical activity and diet behaviours of EAs. The review also examines the role that online video games play within this behavioural ecology. In total, 112 articles were found that focused on behavioural ecological influences for physical activity and diet behaviour among EAs. Seven of these articles focused on the impact of online video games, although only in conjunction with their influence on physical activity, identifying a gap in understanding the influence of online games on diet. Results show that online video games are currently under-researched in terms of impacts on physical activity and diet despite the prevalence of the use of these games within the EA cohort.

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“…More so, this does not specify any ultimate conclusion about the sleep quality itself. The extent to which associations between video gaming and sleep can be found has not yet been sufficiently proven (Huard Pelletier et al, 2020 ). A reduction in screen time should be kept in mind, especially before going to bed, as this can affect sleep and wellbeing (Hale and Guan, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Media Consumption, Stress and Wellbeing of Video Game and eSports Players in Germany: The eSports Study 2020

Rudolf

Soffner

Bickmann

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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The popularity of video gaming and eSports is increasing rapidly. However, most research focuses on the economical features and psychological consequences of gaming and only little is known about the health behavior of the players. Therefore, this study is a follow-up of the eSports Study 2019 and further investigates the health and health behavior of video game and eSports players in Germany. This cross-sectional study, conducted between April and September 2019, includes 1038 players (91.2% male; 23.0 ± 5.4 years; body mass index: 24.8 ± 5.0 kg/m2) who provided data regarding their health status, physical activity, sleep, media consumption, stress and wellbeing via a web-based survey. Descriptive statistics were performed on all questions. Linear regressions were used to examine the relation between media consumption, wellbeing and stress. Almost all respondents classified their health status as “good” or better (92.5%). The average sedentary and physical activity time was 7.2 ± 3.5 h/day and 8.8 ± 10.7 h/week, respectively. Respondents slept for 7.5 ± 1.3 h/night on weekdays and for 8.5 ± 1.5 h/night on weekends, but many were “sometimes” or more frequently overtired (53.1%). Daily duration of playing video games (230.4 ± 159.3 min/day) and watching livestreams and videos with (102.6 ± 101.7 min/day) and without gaming content (72.9 ± 88.5 min/day) were much higher than watching regular television (18.9 ± 49.1 min/day) or reading analog media (32.1 ± 53.5 min/day). In terms of stress and wellbeing, most players reported low stress levels (13.8 ± 5.7) and reached a moderate average score of 60.1 ± 16.4 out of 100 points in the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Linear regressions revealed no relevant significant associations. The results indicate good subjective health and health behavior of the target group. However, the high amounts of screen-based media-consumption, as well as the moderate stress and wellbeing levels show potential for improvement. In addition, the target group consumed high amounts of digital media in reference to gaming, while traditional media consumption was distinctly low. Consequently, media campaigns that address health promotion in this target group should use the platforms of digital media instead.

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Video games and their associations with physical health: a scoping review

Cited by 34 publications

References 39 publications

Improving the Health of Emerging Adult Gamers—A Scoping Review of Influences

Improving the Health of Emerging Adult Gamers—A Scoping Review of Influences

Where Do Online Games Fit into the Health Behaviour Ecology of Emerging Adults: A Scoping Review

Media Consumption, Stress and Wellbeing of Video Game and eSports Players in Germany: The eSports Study 2020

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