The use of video games and the use of computers seems not to be associated with obesity risk (Rey

Lopez et al, 2008). Regarding video games play, the majority of cross sectional studies did not find an
association between playing video games and obesity, and the same relationship was found in two
longitudinal studies, although more research is needed.

Video games and obesity

Up to now, research regarding the effects of video games on obesity has been rare. Four of those
studies that independently analyzed the effect of playing video games found a significant obesogenic
effect in both sexes, and one in only boys. The majority of longitudinal studies did not find an
association between video game use and obesity risk in both sexes. For instance, overweight
prevalence was not associated with video games use during 1 year of follow up in US adolescents.
When video game use was combined with computer time and TV time, the aggregated measure
often resulted in a significant association with overweight and obesity, but in this case it is not
possible to determine whether it was due to the total amount of sedentary behavior, or whether
video games significantly accounted for this relationship. A recent study in Portuguese children and
in Spanish adolescents, found that time spent playing electronic games was associated with
overweight.

There are few longitudinal studies that include video game playing as sedentary behavior. Only one
study revealed a significant relationship between the use of video games and excessive weight gain
and that was in girls. Two other studies did not find this relationship. And no studies found the
relationship in boys, all showed a lack of effect on obesity risk. The following are some factors that
could explain these null effects : less time devoted to playing games than watching TV, the presence
of a calorie intake free behavior because the video game device is held with both hands, higher
energy expenditure due to this behavior. In fact, energy expenditure varies significantly depending
on the video game used. In conclusion, the few published data do not suggest that video games have
negative effects on body composition.

Computer and obesity

Despite the fact these new technologies were introduced during the last two decades, the literature
regarding their effects on body composition is quite limited. As happened with video games,
computer use has been scarcely investigated as a single entity isolated e.g., from TV and video
games. Again, the effect on obesity observed in cross sectional studies is not clear. Less than half of
the studies showed a relationship, with the rest showing a null effect of computer use on obesity
development (Rey Lopez et al, 2008). None of the longitudinal studies found an association between
computer use and overweight and/ or obesity. Nevertheless, most of the studies considered all
sedentary activities together. Therefore, more studies are necessary to understand the effect of
computer use on the development of obesity.

In summary, the questionnaires used to quantify computer time do not value the specific impact of
computer use on body composition. However, these initial results do not suggest that computer use
can cause obesity.

Moreno, Luis A, Iris Pigeot, Wolfgang Ahrens. 2011. Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and
Adolescents Prevalence and Etiology. Germany : Springer Science.