Evaluation of Internet Addiction and Nutrition Habits of Secondary and High School Students

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between internet addiction and dietary habits of secondary and high school students with some parameters (body mass index z-score, gender and educational status).
Subjects and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the students (n=300) of a secondary school and a high school affiliated to Sivas Provincial Directorate of National Education during the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to the questionnaire form including sociodemographic information, the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) and the Eating Habits Questionnaire for Adolescent (EHQA) were used in the study. The EHQA consists of body image perception, external factors, nutrition and exercise sub-dimensions, whereas the IAS is evaluated on a total score.
Results: In the study, body image perception scores of overweight and obese students were lower than body image perception scores of underweight and normal weight students (p<0.001). The external factors score of normal weight students was lower than that of underweight and obese students (p=0.023). Nutrition score of normal weight students was lower than overweight students (p=0.049). EHQA total and external factors scores of male students were higher than those of female students (p=0.038; p=0.001). IAS total score and body image perception score of high school students were higher than those of middle school students (p<0.05); external factors, nutrition and exercise scores were lower (p<0.05). In the study, a weak negative correlation was observed between the total score of the IAS and the total score of the EHQA (r=-0.371, p<0.001), body image perception (r=-0.201, p<0.001), nutrition (r=-0.224, p<0.001) and exercise (r=-0.162, p=0.005); a moderate negative correlation was observed between the external factors score (r=-0.402, p<0.001).
Conclusion: There is an increasing internet use in adolescence. Internet addiction affects body image, external factors, nutrition and exercise. Therefore, internet use should be reduced and healthy eating habits should be gained.