Electronic Game Addiction and Eating Behaviors: Implications for Adolescent Health and Academic Engagement in Jordan

Background/purpose. The current research explores the interrelation between electronic game addiction, emotional eating, and eating disorder symptoms among Jordanian adolescents. A quantitative, correlational survey design was used to investigate these associations in an educational context.

Materials/methods. The Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents (GASA), Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) were administered to 141 private and public-school students.

Results. The findings showed moderate levels of gaming addiction and emotional eating, with no significant gender differences. Emotional eating appeared to be the strongest contributor to disordered eating behaviors. Although the effect of gaming addiction was weak, it was still positively related to disordered eating patterns. These associations suggest potential behavioral risks for adolescent well-being.

Conclusion. These findings highlight the need for targeting emotional eating and gaming in adolescent health interventions. Implications for educational support programs are discussed. Future research should explore the psychological mechanisms of these manners' relation to eating disorders.

Keywords: Electronic gaming addiction, emotional eating, eating disorders, academic achievement, educational psychology, digital behavior, adolescent health

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