Relationship between Internet Gaming Addiction and Body Mass Index Status among Indonesian Junior High School Students

Abstract

We live in a media-saturated world and rely on a variety of new media for information, entertainment, and connectivity. The Internet, online gaming, and other electronic media have become increasingly popular among teenagers. Purpose: This study examined the relationship between Internet gaming addiction (IGA) and body mass index (BMI) status among junior high school students. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of a previous study that explored electronic media use and physical health, mental health, and school performance among adolescents at junior high schools in East Jakarta. That study included a sample of 315 adolescents. The present analysis included data for 250 students. We examined IGA using the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form and calculated BMI using body weight (kg) divided by height (in meters squared). Results: This analysis showed that 177 students (70.8%) had low levels of IGA and 126 students (50.4%) had a normal BMI. Students with high levels of IGA tended to be overweight. However, the relationship between IGA and BMI was weak and inverse (r = −0.036, p = 0.566). Conclusion: We found a weak inverse relationship between IGA and BMI. Further research is needed to better understand the link between IGA and BMI. It is also important to conduct a longitudinal study to clarify any causal relationship between IGA and BMI.