Burden of gaming disorder among adolescents: A systemic review and meta-analysis

Satapathy P 1 , Khatib MN 2 , Balaraman AK 3 , R R 4 , Kaur M 5 , Srivastava M 6 Show all authors , Barwal A 7 , Prasad GVS 8 , Rajput P 9 , Syed R 10 , Sharma G 11 , Kumar S 12 , Singh MP 13 , Bushi G 14 , Chilakam N 15 , Pandey S 16 , Brar M 17 , Mehta R 18 , Sah S 19 , Gaidhane A 20 , Serhan HA 21 , Samal SK 22

Affiliations 

  • 1 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
  • 2 Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Istitute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 3 Research and Enterprise, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to Be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 5 Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
  • 6 Department of Endocrinology, NIMS University, Jaipur, India
  • 7 Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Mohali, 140307, Punjab, India
  • 8 Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 531162, India
  • 9 School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
  • 10 IES Institute of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462044, India
  • 11 New Delhi Institute of Management, Delhi, India
  • 12 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University) Clement Town Dehradun-248002, India
  • 13 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
  • 14 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
  • 15 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
  • 16 Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140417, Punjab, India
  • 17 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, 174103, India
  • 18 Clinical Microbiology, RDC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, 121004, India
  • 19 Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • 20 Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, and Global Health Academy, School of Epidemiology and Public Health. Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 21 Department of Ophthalmology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • 22 Unit of Immunology and Chronic Disease, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
Public Health Pract (Oxf), 2025 Jun;9:100565.
PMID: 40115446 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100565

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Integrating digital technology into daily life has made video games a primary form of entertainment for adolescents worldwide. Despite their benefits, excessive gaming has emerged as a significant public health issue, recognized as a gaming disorder by the World Health Organization in the ICD-11. This study aims to assess the prevalence of gaming disorders among adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: A search was conducted across multiple databases until February 15, 2024. Observational studies that assessed the prevalence of gaming disorder were included. Nested Knowledge software was used for screening and data extraction. The quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Meta-analysis using a random effect model was used to synthesize prevalence rates. Statistical analyses were performed in R software version 4.3.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 84 studies covering a diverse geographical scope totaling 641,763 individuals. The pooled prevalence of gaming disorder was 8.6 % (95 % CI: 6.9 %-10.8 %), (I2 = 100 %). Subgroup analysis revealed varying prevalence rates by country, with China reporting the highest rate at 11.7 % (95 % CI: 8.6 %-15.7 %). Meta-regression analysis highlighted an increasing trend in the prevalence of gaming disorder over the years, underscoring the growing impact of digital technologies.

CONCLUSION: A significant prevalence of gaming disorder among adolescents is observed. With an increasing trend, fostering healthy gaming habits, enhancing awareness, and implementing effective intervention programs are crucial. This emphasizes the importance of global efforts in combating the growing challenge of gaming disorder among adolescents.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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