Study finds small link between video game use in early childhood, high BMI later in life
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A secondary analysis of survey data showed a small but not clinically relevant association between early exposure to video games and a higher BMI score in later years, which could be explained by irregularity of bedtime and a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, researchers reported.
The cohort study from William Goodman, MSc, a postgraduate researcher in the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences in the United Kingdom, and colleagues was unable to establish a causal relationship because there were not enough data.
“The size of the effect is too small to have a clinically meaningful impact alone. However, obesity is complex, and the results suggest that video game use, sugar-sweetened beverages and sleep play a role in contributing to this,” Goodman told Healio.
According to the authors, the study was the first to examine the association between video game use and a higher BMI score while controlling for television use. The analysis included a total of 16,376 children aged 5, 7, 11 and 14 years.
The study showed a small association between higher BMI scores in children aged 14 years and their video game use as a 5-year-old.
Sugar-sweetened beverages were a mediator of the association between video game use and BMI, possibly because video games contain in-game advertisements that may promote the beverages, the authors said. The authors specifically mentioned Red Bull, which has a strong presence in the video game community, they said.
Irregular bedtimes also were a mediator between early video game use and a later-in-life BMI, potentially because video game use before bedtime could be a factor in shorter sleep duration. The authors said the effect sizes for these mediators were statistically significant, but small.
“There were limitations with how some of the behaviors were measured; in future more direct measurements of the behaviors would be best such as using activity trackers for exercise,” Goodman said.
The study indicated that children become more independent and make their own decisions without parental involvement as they get older, which could affect them nutritionally.
“The take home message for parents is to be aware of how much time your child spends on video games and use the inbuilt parental controls on games consoles,” Goodman said. – by Ken Downey Jr.
Disclosures: Goodman reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
Back to TopNusheen Ameenuddin, MD, MPH, MPA, FAAP
For years, the AAP has recommended moderation and limits on children’s entertainment screen time, exclusive of work done on screen for school, work or video chatting with family. Decades of research have shown associations, if not causation, between excessive screen time and obesity; overweight as well as raised concerns about sleep quality and quantity; and academic, mood and behavioral concerns.
But as screens themselves have evolved, we have also acknowledged that not all screen time is equal. As the world adjusts to various levels of social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19, we are finding that screen time is a necessary tool to remain connected educationally, professionally and socially. Often, it is also a way to relax or recover from the compounded stress of trying to maintain some semblance of normality in an utterly abnormal situation.
As we absorb the findings of Goodman and colleagues, it is an important reminder that screen time, especially in conjunction with other factors, has some impact on the health of children. None of these health concerns disappear as we try to balance the realities of living during a pandemic. However, it is also a reminder that nothing occurs in isolation and that priorities matter.
Encouraging families to set some limits on screen time as well as intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and promoting good sleep hygiene while allowing for flexibility under extraordinary circumstances should be the focus for pediatricians. Supporting mental and physical health for families during challenging times must remain our priority, even if it means an extra hour of video games now and then.
Disclosure: Ameenuddin reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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