Effect of social media addiction on eating behavior, body weight and life satisfaction during pandemic period

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between social media addiction and eating behavior, eating disorder risk, body weight and life satisfaction in university students during pandemic period.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 1,411 university students. Data were collected using online questionnaire and Scale of Social Media Usage Motives, Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), SCOFF Eating Disorders Scale and Life Assessment Scale were used in the study.

Findings

Of the participants, 79.7% had different levels of social media addiction. Body weight and body mass index (BMI) values of those with high social media addiction were significantly higher than those in the non- and low-addicted group (p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship between social media addiction and duration of social media use, social media addiction and emotional and external eating behaviors and a negative relationship between social media addiction and life satisfaction (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in eating disorder risk according to social media addiction groups (p = 0.823). Individuals in the nonaddicted social media group had the highest Life Assessment Scale score (p < 0.01).

Originality/value

Social media addiction was prevalent among university students, and it was related to BMI, eating behavior and life satisfaction. It is necessary to be more careful in the use of social media, which has increased in the pandemic period. Trainings to reduce the use of social media can positively affect eating behavior and contribute to the prevention of obesity and increasing life satisfaction.

Citation

Ayyıldız, F. and Şahin, G. (2022), "Effect of social media addiction on eating behavior, body weight and life satisfaction during pandemic period", British Food Journal, Vol. 124 No. 9, pp. 2980-2992. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2022-0018