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Frequent video-game playing in young males is associated with central adiposity and high-sugar, low-fibre dietary consumption

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Abstract

Purpose

Video-game playing is associated with an increased obesity risk. The association of video-game playing with body composition, physical activity and eating behaviour was investigated.

Methods

A total of 45 young males (age range 18–27 years, BMI range 18.5–35.1 kg/m2) were recruited. Measurements of body composition and blood pressure were performed. The EPIC-FFQ questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. A questionnaire battery was administered to assess physical activity, eating behaviour, sleep quality and frequency of video-game playing (hours/week). Subjects were categorised into frequent (>7 h/week) and non-frequent (≤7 h/week) players.

Results

Frequent video-game players had greater waist circumference and fat mass. Video-game playing was significantly associated with high added sugar and low fibre consumption. A higher level of dietary restraint was observed in non-frequent video-game users.

Conclusions

These preliminary results identify frequent video-game playing as an important lifestyle behaviour which may have important implications for understanding obesity risk in young male adults.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle on Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK

    Siervo Mario, Cameron Hannah & Lara Jose

  2. Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK

    Wells C. K. Jonathan

Authors
  1. Siervo Mario
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  2. Cameron Hannah
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  3. Wells C. K. Jonathan
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  4. Lara Jose
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Correspondence to Siervo Mario.

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Mario, S., Hannah, C., Jonathan, W.C.K. et al. Frequent video-game playing in young males is associated with central adiposity and high-sugar, low-fibre dietary consumption. Eat Weight Disord 19, 515–520 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-014-0128-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-014-0128-1

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