Video game playing may negatively impact youth. However, the existing literature on gaming is inconsistent and often has focused on aggression rather than the health correlates of gaming and the prevalence and correlates of problematic gaming.
Methods
We anonymously surveyed 4028 adolescents about gaming and reported problems with gaming and other health behaviors.
- A total of 51.2% of the sample reported gaming (76.3% of boys and 29.2% of girls).
Results
There were no negative health correlates of gaming in boys and lower odds of smoking regularly; however, girls who reported gaming were less likely to report depression and more likely to report getting into serious fights and carrying a weapon to school.
