Title:

Do Dietary Patterns Differ with Video Game Usage in College Men?

Objective: To assess the differences in fruit and vegetable (F/V), total dietary fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, and discretionary calorie intake, body fat (BF%), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) between high, moderate, and non-video game using male college students. Methods: Data collected between 2012–2018 from an ongoing cross-sectional study at the University of New Hampshire were analyzed. Participants with missing data were excluded; our final sample sizes were n=1095, n=1060, and n=786 for diet, BF%, and BMI/WC analyses, respectively. Self-reported video game usage was categorized as: non-users (NVG), <1hr/day users (MVG), and ≥1hr/day (HVG). BF% was measured via bioelectrical impedance; BMI and WC were measured in duplicate. Nutrition data was obtained from 3-day food records. Group differences were examined via ANCOVA using total kcals, daily steps, and 1st-year status as covariates. Results: College men reported varying levels of video game usage: 31% reported NVG, 39% reported MVG, and 30% reported HVG. Higher saturated fat intake (30.1+/-.4 g and 29.9+/-.4 g, vs. 28.2+/-.4 g, P<.002, P<.02), higher discretionary calories (736+/-12 kcals and 759+/-14 kcals, vs. 692+/-14 kcals, P<.049, P<.003), and lower F/V intake (2.96+/-.1 cups and 3.01+/-.1 cups, vs. 3.43+/-.1 cups, P<.001, P<.01) were observed in MVG and HVG vs. NVG. Sodium intake was higher in MVG vs. NVG (3957+/-46 mg vs. 3701+/-53 mg, P<.001). There were no detectable differences in BMI, BF%, or WC between video game usage levels. Conclusion: Video game usage was associated with higher saturated fat, sodium, discretionary calories, and lower F/V intake in college men. This knowledge can tailor nutrition education for college men; however, experimental studies are needed to confirm our findings. Funding Source: The New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1010738

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