Where Do Online Games Fit into the Health Behaviour Ecology of Emerging Adults: A Scoping Review

• Main Authors: David Micallef, Linda Brennan, Lukas Parker, Bruno Schivinski, Michaela Jackson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: computer games; behaviour ecological model; social marketing; social network; young people; literature review
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/8/2895

Online video games are a common pastime for emerging adults (EAs). EAs are an age group that is of interest in health communication because habits formed during this life stage can cause or prevent disease later in life. Guided by three research questions, this scoping review identifies the current state of research into socio-ecological influences on physical activity and diet behaviours of EAs. The review also examines the role that online video games play within this behavioural ecology. In total, 112 articles were found that focused on behavioural ecological influences for physical activity and diet behaviour among EAs. Seven of these articles focused on the impact of online video games, although only in conjunction with their influence on physical activity, identifying a gap in understanding the influence of online games on diet. Results show that online video games are currently under-researched in terms of impacts on physical activity and diet despite the prevalence of the use of these games within the EA cohort.