Griffiths, MD

English

Nottingham Trent Institutional Repository (IRep)

Vol.28 No. 2, 2010                                                                                                      Education and Health 35Dr. Mark D. Griffiths is the Professor of Gambling Studies at the International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Division Nottingham TrentUniversity, Burton Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU.  For communication please email: mark.griffiths@ntu.ac.ukMark D. GriffithsTrends in technological advance: Implications forsedentary behaviour and obesity in screenagersIt has been claimed that the research intothe health effects relating to sedentarybehaviours like video game playing appearto be somewhat trivialized (Griffiths, 2005).To date, the research literature has generallyshown that sedentary lifestyles are greatlyinfluenced by increasing technologicalinteraction and involvement. Morespecifically, research on television andvideogame use by children and adolescentstends to show associations with obesity andthat increased sedentary lifestyle often haspositive correlations with obesity (e.g.,Shimai, Yamada, Masuda & Tada, 1993;Johnson & Hackett, 1997; Vandewater, Shim& Caplovitz, 2004; Marshall, Biddle, Gorely,et al, 2004), although some research onfrequency of video game play has reportedno significant relationship with body massindex (Wack & Tantleff-Dunn, 2009).Work and leisure have becomeincreasingly technologised and remote forboth adults and children (Griffiths, 2002;2009; Widyanto & Griffiths, 2006). Activitiesthat were once done in an externalenvironment (e.g., an amusement arcade,cinema) can now be done in the homeand/or workplace. This has led to'cocooning' where a majority of activities canbe done without ever having to leave thehome and/or the work desk (Griffiths &Wood, 2000; Griffiths, 2003a). Furthermore,technology is becoming increasinglyconvergent (e.g., cell phones with Internetaccess, Blackberrys, etc.) and there isincreasing multi-media integration (DeFreitas & Griffiths, 2008; Griffiths, 2008a;King, Delfabbro & Griffiths, 2010a). As aconsequence, people of all ages are spendingmore time interacting with technology in theform of Internet, videogames, interactivetelevision, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc.For adults, the increasing time is mostlywork-related (and is also related to the factpeople are generally working longer hours)whereas for teenagers is more likely to beleisure-related (Griffiths, 2002; Griffiths,2003a; 2003b; 2009; King et al, 2010a).Young people's use of technology, the so-called 'screenagers', has increased greatlyover the last two decades and a significantproportion of daily time is spent in front ofvarious screen interfaces most notablyvideogames, mobile phones (e.g., SMS) andthe Internet (e.g., social networking sites likeBebo, Facebook, etc.; Griffiths, 2000; 2001). Ithas been claimed that children's increasingtime spent engaging with these newertechnologies may contribute to childhoodobesity in 'screenagers' (Griffiths, 2004).282A.qxd  28/05/2010  11:22  Page 35Vol.28 No. 2, 201036 Education and HealthTechnology has changed the way thatsociety views social and asocial activities(Griffiths, 2003). Although many people'sinteractions with technology are asocial(e.g., a single person engaging in some kindof screen-based activity), many of theactivities carried out are social activities(playing and chatting to others in an onlinevideogame or during online gambling onbingo or poker, chatting via Twitter or othersocial networking sites) (Cole & Griffiths,2007; Meredith, Hussain & Griffiths, 2009).The new types of technological (social)interaction appear to be more sedentary innature and may have implications forobesity.Sedentary lifestylesand mobile technologiesTechnology users of all ages arebecoming increasingly more sedentary inlifestyle although (somewhat paradoxically)technology is becoming increasingly mobilebecause of wireless-based technologies(Griffiths, 2007; De Freitas & Griffiths, 2008).New interactive technologies (e.g.,Nintendo's Wii console with Wii Sports, WiiFit; games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero)are more activity-based and have thepotential to reverse the sedentary nature ofinteractive technology (Brown, 2006).However, a recent review by Daley (2009)stressed caution on this topic and assertedthat active gaming was no substitute for realsports and activities. She also stressed theneed for high-quality randomized,controlled trials to evaluate the effectivenessand sustainability of active gaming.It should also be stressed thattechnological advance appears to havedifferent effects at different stages of humandevelopment at least in terms of activitieslike video game playing (e.g., Griffiths,Davies & Chappell, 2004). The younger theperson, the more likely that technology mayaffect some aspect of their moral, cognitiveand/or social development (Griffiths, 1998).There is some evidence that both adults andchildren appear to be 'dependent' on variousforms of interactive technology (e.g.,videogames, Internet) although there aredebates around technological excess, abuseand addiction (Widayanto & Griffiths, 2006;Griffiths, 2008b) although the context ofexcessive play is critical (Griffiths, 2010).However, when it comes to obesity, theoperational definition of behavioural excessmakes little difference as the person is likelyto be engaged in a sedentary lifestyle. Given the increasing role that technologyplays in people's lives, it is somewhatsurprising that that there is so littleempirical research in the area of changingtechnology and sedentary. Technologyappears to have pervaded most areas ofboth working and social lives across all agegroups. Technologies bring new ways ofworking and playing. One of the majorlimitations of research in this area is thattechnology is viewed homogenously.Asking whether increased playing of videogames leads to increased sedentarybehaviour depends upon which gamesacross which platforms. The most importantaspect is to realise that research does nothappen in a vacuum and that thetechnological landscape is ever changingand ever evolving. By the time findingsfrom a longitudinal study are complete, thefindings may already be irrelevant and/orobsolete.Regardless of whether excessivetechnology use may be termed an 'addiction'it is generally agreed that some individuals'technology usage may be consideredproblematic. Griffiths (2008c) has arguedthat researchers still face the task ofidentifying the mechanisms - biological,psychological and/or social - that underlieproblematic involvement in technology andthe implications that arise from this (e.g.,increased sedentary lifestyles). There needsto be development of technologicaltaxonomies that categorises and groupstechnologies in terms of structuralcharacteristics as it is these dimensions that282A.qxd  28/05/2010  11:22  Page 36Vol.28 No. 2, 2010                                                                                                      Education and Health 37may help determine and/or pinpointfeatures that promote excessive use (and inturn increased sedentary behaviour). Suchtaxonomies are starting to be developed inspecific areas such as video games (e.g.,King, Delfabbro & Griffiths, 2010b) but needto be developed more generally. Theirintention was to demonstrate the ways inwhich the psychological effects of thesefeatures may contribute to the developmentof problematic styles of video game playing(a consequence of which may be increasedsedentary behaviour).The extent to which these featurescontribute to excessive playing requiresfurther empirical investigation. It is hopedthat the development of such taxonomieswill act as a catalyst for future research intothe health effects of excessive video gameplay. King et al (2010a) argue that much ofthis research should perhaps be directed atchild and teenage groups because theseindividuals (a) represent the potentiallymost vulnerable demographic group in thepopulation, (b) are highly likely to beexposed to new technologies as a naturalconsequence of their involvement with theInternet and new media, (c) are increasinglymore likely to be 'early adopters' of thesenew technologies (the so-called'screenagers') and be more 'techno-savvy',and (d) are perhaps less 'techno-phobic' thanthe adult population.  Note: This work was funded by the Department of Healthas part of Professor Griffiths' role on the Expert WorkingGroup on Sedentary Behaviour, Screen Time andObesity.ReferencesBrown, D. (2006). Playing to win: Video games and thefight against obesity. Journal of the American DieteticAssociation, 2, 188-189.Cole, H. & Griffiths, M.D. (2007). Social interactions inMassively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing gamers.CyberPsychology and Behavior, 10, 575-583.Daley, A. (2009). Can exergaming contribute to improvingphysical activity levels and health outcomes in children?Pediatrics, DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-2357. De Freitas, S. & Griffiths, M.D. (2008). The convergenceof gaming practices with other media forms: whatpotential for learning? A review of the literature. Learning,Media and Technology, 33, 11-20.Deheger, M., Rolland-Cachera, M.F. & Fontvielle, A.M.(1997). Physical activity and body composition in 10 yearold French children: Linkages with nutritional intake?International Journal of Obesity, 21, 372-379.Griffiths, M.D. (1998). Video games and aggression: Areview of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior,4, 203-212.Griffiths, M.D. (2000). Parents are right to worry aboutscreenagers. Sunday Post, May 7, p. 30-31.Griffiths, M.D. (2001). Excessive Internet use:Implications for education. Education and Health, 19, 23-29.Griffiths, M.D.  (2002).  Occupational health issuesconcerning Internet use in the workplace. Work andStress, 16, 283-287.Griffiths, M.D. (2003a). Internet abuse in the workplace -Issues and concerns for employers and employmentcounselors. Journal of Employment Counseling, 40, 87-96.Griffiths, M.D. (2003b). Internet gambling: Issues,concerns and recommendations. CyberPsychology andBehavior, 6, 557-568.Griffiths, M.D. (2004). Childhood obesity: A side effect ofbeing a "screenager"? British Medical Journal (online).Located at: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/329/7456/54-a#65477Griffiths, M.D. (2005). Video games and health. BritishMedical Journal, 331, 122-123.Griffiths, M.D. (2007). Mobile phone gambling. In D.Taniar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Mobile Computing andCommerce. pp.553-556. Pennsylvania: InformationScience Reference.Griffiths, M.D. (2008a). Digital impact, crossovertechnologies and gambling practices. Casino andGaming International, 4(3), 37-42.Griffiths, M.D. (2008b). Diagnosis and management ofvideo game addiction. New Directions in AddictionTreatment and Prevention, 12, 27-41.Griffiths, M.D. (2008c). Internet and video-gameaddiction. In C. Essau (Ed.), Adolescent Addiction:Epidemiology, Assessment and Treatment. pp.231-267.San Diego: Elselvier.Griffiths, M.D. (2009). Internet gambling in the workplace.Journal of Workplace Learning, 21, 658-670.282A.qxd  28/05/2010  11:22  Page 37Vol.28 No. 2, 201038 Education and HealthGriffiths, M.D. (2010). The role of context in onlinegaming excess and addiction: Some case studyevidence. International Journal of Mental Health andAddiction, 8, 119-125.Griffiths, M.D., Davies, M.N.O. & Chappell, D. (2004).Online computer gaming: A comparison of adolescentand adult gamers. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 87-96.Griffiths, M.D. & Wood, R.T.A. (2000). Risk factors inadolescence: The case of gambling, video-game playingand the internet. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16, 199-225.Johnson, B. & Hackett, A.F. (1997). Eating habits of 11-14-year-old schoolchildren living in less affluent areas ofLiverpool, UK. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics,10,135-144.King, D., Delfabbro, P. & Griffiths, M.D. (2010a) Theconvergence of gambling and digital media: Implicationsfor gambling in young people. Journal of GamblingStudies, in press.King, D., Delfabbro, P. & Griffiths, M.D. (2010b). Videogame structural characteristics: A new psychologicaltaxonomy. International Journal of Mental Health andAddiction, 8, 90-106.Marshall S.J., Biddle, S.J., Gorely, T., et al (2004).Relationships between media use, body fatness andphysical activity in children and youth: a meta-analysis.International Journal of Obesity & Related MetabolicDisorders, 28, 1238-46. Meredith, A., Hussain, Z. & Griffiths, M.D. (2009). Onlinegaming: A scoping study of Massively Multi-player OnlineRole Playing Games. Electronic Commerce Research, 9,3-26.Shimai, S., Yamada, F., Masuda, K. & Tada, M. (1993).TV game play and obesity in Japanese school children.Perceptual and Motor Skills, 76, 1121-1122. Vandewater, E.A., Shim, M. & Caplovitz, A.G. (2004).Linking obesity ad activity level with children's televisionand game use. Journal of Adolescence, 27, 71-85.Wack, E. & Tantleff-Dunn, S. (2009). Relationshipsbetween electronic game play, obesity and psychosocialfunctioning in young men. CyberPsychology & Behavior,12, 241-244.Widyanto, L. & Griffiths, M.D. (2006). Internet addiction:A critical review. International Journal of Mental Healthand Addiction, 4, 31-51.Publications from SHEUYoung People & Illegal Drugs:Attitudes to and experience of illegaldrugs 1987-2008A report in the series showing trends inyoung people's health related behaviour.The report provides factual information andover 30 easy-to-read charts and tables.Written using data derived from the HealthRelated Behaviour Questionnaire surveys,the report uses a sample of 629,328 youngpeople between the ages of 10 and 15 fromacross the UK. The report is £10 (hardcopy includes p&p)and can be bought with a purchase order orcredit card via PayPal.Young People into 2009This report is a unique contemporaryarchive of young people from the SchoolsHealth Education Unit. There are over 100health-related behaviour questions andanswers from 80,548 youngsters betweenthe ages of 10 and 15. The data have been collected from 1,100primary and secondary schools across theUnited Kingdom. The wire-bound reporthas 158 printed pages, with data dividedinto 9 sections and easy-to-read charts andtables.'Young People into 2009' costs £15 includingpostage and packaging. For more details please visit: www.sheu.org.uk/publications/publications.htm282A.qxd  28/05/2010  11:22  Page 38

Eating habits of 11-14-year-old schoolchildren living in less affluent areas of Liverpool,

Internet addiction: A critical review.

Internet and video-game addiction.

Internet gambling in the workplace.

Linking obesity ad activity level with children's television and game use.

Online computer gaming: A comparison of adolescent and adult gamers.

Online gaming: A scoping study of Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Games.

Publications from SHEU Young People & Illegal Drugs: Attitudes to and experience of illegal drugs

Relationships between electronic game play, obesity and psychosocial functioning in young men.

Relationships between media use, body fatness and physical activity in children and youth: a meta-analysis.

Risk factors in adolescence: The case of gambling, video-game playing and the internet.

The convergence of gambling and digital media: Implications for gambling in young people.

The role of context in online gaming excess and addiction: Some case study evidence.

Video game structural characteristics: A new psychological taxonomy.

Trends in technological advance: implications for sedentary behaviour and obesity in screenagers

Trends in technological advance: implications for sedentary behaviour and obesity in screenagers

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