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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Dec;8(12):4406-24.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph8124406. Epub 2011 Nov 29.

High calorie, low nutrient food/beverage intake and video gaming in children as potential signals for addictive behavior

Mary Ann Pentz  1 , Donna Spruijt-Metz, Chih Ping Chou, Nathaniel R Riggs
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

High calorie, low nutrient food/beverage intake and video gaming in children as potential signals for addictive behavior

Mary Ann Pentz et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

Little is known about the co-occurrence of health risk behaviors in childhood that may signal later addictive behavior. Using a survey, this study evaluated high calorie, low nutrient HCLN intake and video gaming behaviors in 964 fourth grade children over 18 months, with stress, sensation-seeking, inhibitory control, grades, perceived safety of environment, and demographic variables as predictors. SEM and growth curve analyses supported a co-occurrence model with some support for addiction specificity. Male gender, free/reduced lunch, low perceived safety and low inhibitory control independently predicted both gaming and HCLN intake. Ethnicity and low stress predicted HCLN. The findings raise questions about whether living in some impoverished neighborhoods may contribute to social isolation characterized by staying indoors, and HCLN intake and video gaming as compensatory behaviors. Future prevention programs could include skills training for inhibitory control, combined with changes in the built environment that increase safety, e.g., implementing Safe Routes to School Programs.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00787709.

Keywords: addictive behavior; children; eating; video gaming.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Co-occurrence and growth in HCLN and video gaming.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Growth curve model of predictors of HCLN intake and video gaming.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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