Prevalence of internet addiction and its effects on lifestyle choices and snacking patterns in young adults

B. Spandana; Alam Prashanthi; B. Jamuna Rani; M. Preethi

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253235

Authors

B. Spandana Young Professional-II, Extension component, AICRP on WIA, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Alam Prashanthi Extension Education and Communication Management College of Community Science, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
B. Jamuna Rani Director of International Programmes, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
M. Preethi Extension Education Institute, PJTAU, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253235

Keywords:

Cyber addiction, Dietary behaviour, Internet addiction, Young adults and non-communicable diseases, Korean internet addiction scale, Lifestyle patterns

Abstract

Background: The significant role of internet addiction in influencing dietary behaviour, particularly among young adults, has become a prominent cause for concern. The continuous connectivity provided by the internet, alongside the widespread use of social media and online platforms, has created an environment where individuals often find themselves deeply engrossed in virtual realms. This digital immersion frequently disrupts established routines, including eating habits.

Methods: An exploratory study was conducted to examine the prevalence of internet addiction and dietary habits of young adults of 254 respondents. Data was collected using the Korean internet addiction scale (KS scale). The KS scale comprises demographic information, patterns of internet addiction, and lifestyle and snacking patterns. Statistical analysis done by SPSS.

Results: The results of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were potential internet users (40.55%) followed by low risk (37.01%) and high risk (22.44%). Individuals at high risk exhibit markedly higher scores, reflecting more intense symptoms and reinforcing the need for specialized interventions tailored to this group.

Conclusions: The study highlighted the concerning prevalence of internet addiction among young adults and its significant impact on dietary behaviours. With a substantial portion of respondents categorized as potential or high-risk users, it was evident that internet addiction disrupts traditional eating habits and routines. The findings underscore there is a need for targeted interventions aimed at addressing internet addiction, particularly among those at higher risk, to promote healthier dietary practices.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Chen SH, Weng LJ, Su YJ, Wu HM, Yang PF. Development of Chinese internet addiction scale and its psychometric study. Chinese J Psychol. 2003;45:1-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/t44491-000

Choi J, Lee HK, Kim YJ. The effects of excessive internet use on mental health: a review of current evidence. J Mental Health Res. 2023;30(2):145-59.

Christakis DA. Internet addiction: a 21st century epidemic? BMC Med. 2010;8:6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-8-61

Wallace P. Internet addiction disorder and youth. Science and Society. EMBO Rep. 2014;15(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/embr.201338222

Khan NT. Internet addiction: a global psychological addiction disorder. J Med Res. 2018;4(4):202-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31254/jmr.2018.4409

Young KS. Internet addiction: the emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyber Psychol Behav. 2009;1(3). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237

Kim JS, Chun BC. Association of Internet addiction with health promotion lifestyle profile and perceived health status in adolescents. J Prev Med Public Health. 2005;38:53-60.

Lam LT, Peng ZW, Mai JC, Jing J. Factors associated with Internet addiction among adolescents. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2009;12:1-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2009.0036

Nguyen TT, Collins JA, Brooks MS. Screen time and its impact on sleep: insights into insomnia and sleep duration. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(8):1501-10.

Spada MM. An overview of problematic internet use. Addict Behav. 2014; 39(1):3-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2013.09.007

Shimizu T. Sleep habits and its relation to depression. Nihon Rinsho. 2012;70(7):1206-10.

Scott H, Green AJ, Bennett LM. The impact of electronic device use on sleep patterns and quality: a comprehensive review. Sleep Med Rev. 2023;62:101-13.

Weinsier RL, Hunter ND, O'Neal RM. Internet use and physical activity: a study of young adults. J Phys Act Health. 2022;19(4):251-60.

Zhang Y, Li J, Wang H, Liu X. The growing prevalence of obesity among individuals with prolonged internet use and poor dietary choices. J Health Nutr. 2022;15(4):345-56.

Kim DI, Chung YJ, Lee EA, Kim DM, Cho YM. Development of Internet addiction proneness scale-short form (KS scale). Korean J Counsell. 2008;9:1703-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15703/kjc.9.4.200812.1703

Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD, Karila L, Billieux J. Internet addiction: a systematic review of epidemiological research for the last decade. Curr Pharm Design. 2013;20(25):4026-52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/13816128113199990617

Sharma A, Sahu R, Kasar PK, Sharma R. Internet addiction among professional courses students: a study from central India. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2014;3(9):1069-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/ijmsph.2014.180620142

Anand N, Jain PA, Prabhu S, Thomas C, Bhat A, Prathyusha PV, et al. Internet use patterns, internet addiction, and psychological distress among engineering university students: a study from India. Indian J Psychiatr. 2018;60(4):479-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_135_18

Kim JH, Lau CH, Cheuk KK, Kan P, Hui HL, Griffiths SM. Predictors of heavy internet use and associations with health-promoting and health risk behaviors among Hong Kong university students. J Adolesc. 2010;33(1):215-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.03.012

Montag C, Reuter M. Internet addiction: Neuroscientific approaches and therapeutical interventions. Springer; 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07242-5

Caplan SE. Relations among loneliness, social anxiety, and problematic internet use. Cyber Psychol Behav. 2007;10(2):234-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2006.9963

Vandelanotte C, Sugiyama T, Gardiner P, Owen N. Associations of leisure-time internet and computer use with overweight and obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviors: cross-sectional study. J Med Internet Res. 2009;11(3):e28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1084

Tan Y, Chen Y, Lu Y, Li L. Exploring associations between problematic internet use, depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance among southern Chinese adolescents. J Behav Addict. 2016;5(3):564-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030313

Zhou Y, Li D, Li X, Wang Y, Zhao L. Internet addiction, problematic internet use, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model. PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0176716.