Relationship between obesity, digital game addiction, and sleep quality in secondary school students: a cross-sectional study

24/09/2026

AI Summary

Overweight prevalence 13.2% and obesity 3.8% among students in grades 6 to 8 in Konya, Türkiye.
High-risk digital game addiction identified in 50.8% of participants; 72.2% were classified with poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5).
No significant association between BMI and DGAS or PSQI; however higher DGAS scores were significantly associated with poorer sleep (B = 0.049, p < 0.001).

Turk J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 11;68(4):566-578. doi: 10.24953/turkjpediatr.2026.8311.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and to examine the associations between digital game addiction, sleep quality, and body mass index (BMI) among secondary school students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 902 students in grades 6-8 in Konya, a central province of Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Anthropometric measurements were performed, and BMI percentiles were calculated according to national reference charts.

RESULTS: The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 13.2% and 3.8%, respectively. High-risk digital game addiction patterns (risky, addicted, or highly addicted) were identified in 50.8% of the cohort, and 72.2% of participants were classified as having poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). No statistically significant associations were observed between BMI measures and either DGAS or PSQI scores (p > 0.05). In multivariable linear regression analysis, higher DGAS scores were significantly associated with poorer sleep quality (higher PSQI scores) (B = 0.049, 95% confidence interval: 0.037-0.062, p <0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.138).

CONCLUSION: Digital game addiction was not directly associated with weight status in this adolescent population, but it was significantly associated with poorer sleep quality. These findings highlight the potential role of problematic gaming behaviors in adolescent sleep health. Targeted school-based interventions addressing digital gaming behaviors may help improve sleep outcomes in early adolescence.

PMID:42777199 | DOI:10.24953/turkjpediatr.2026.8311

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