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Published on: December 16, 2010
Video game playing increases food intake in adolescents: a randomized crossover study
Jean-Philippe Chaput1, Trine Visby, Signe Nyby
1Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada. jpchaput@cheo.on.ca
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 15, 2011
Summary
Playing video games increases food intake in adolescents, even without feeling hungrier. This sedentary activity leads to a daily energy surplus, contributing to potential weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Behavioral Science
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Observational studies link video game playing to obesity.
- The impact of sedentary gaming on food intake remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of sedentary video game play on energy balance components.
- To assess spontaneous food intake, energy expenditure, and appetite regulation after gaming.
Main Methods:
- Randomized crossover design with 22 healthy male adolescents.
- Compared 1-hour video game play versus seated rest.
- Measured energy intake, expenditure, stress markers, and appetite hormones post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Video gaming increased heart rate, blood pressure, and mental workload.
- Energy expenditure rose during gaming, but energy intake significantly increased afterward.
- A daily energy surplus was observed, independent of hunger sensations or appetite hormone profiles.
Conclusions:
- Sedentary video game play acutely increases food intake in adolescents.
- Increased caloric consumption occurs irrespective of appetite sensations.
- This suggests a potential mechanism linking gaming to positive energy balance and obesity risk.
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