College-aged men who play video games consumed less healthy foods than their non-gaming peers, according to data presented at Nutrition 2020 Live Online.

“Video game usage has been studied extensively in children and adolescence, less in adults, and to our knowledge not at all in college students. Because college students are presented with a unique experience compared to other adults and children, it is important to understand how video game users in this specific population behave,” stated Dustin G. Moore, a graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, told Healio Primary care.

Male college students who were moderate or heavy video game players ate more saturated fat than those who did not play video games. While those who were moderate gamers consumed more salt than those who did not play video games, according to the data presented at Nutrition 2020 Live Online.

Heavy video game playing was also associated with consuming more discretionary calories when compared with those who don’t play. Men who were moderate and heavy video game users consumed fewer fruits and vegetables.

There appeared to be no significant differences in alcohol consumption, sugar, total dietary fat, and waist circumferences.

“This is a concerning finding because previous research has shown that lifestyle habits in early adulthood tend to continue later in life,” Jesse S. Morrell, PhD, principal lecturer for the nutrition program at the University of New Hampshire, said in an interview. “If these poor lifestyle habits continue, this population will be at higher risk for [above target weight] and chronic disease.”

It would be interesting to track video game time vs outdoor physical activity time in this same group, and comparing eating habits.

As diabetes specialist invested in the health of future generations, it is important to encourage physical activity and healthy eating in all age groups, but especially in the college-age group.

College is often the first time teens are living away from home, and making independent choices on food and meals.

To read more, click here.

Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer

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