A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Eating Behaviors Among Young Adults: From Digital Interaction to Eating Behavior
Social Media Addiction and Eating Behaviors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18053989Keywords:
Social media addiction, eating behaviours, young adults, public healthAbstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between social media addiction and eating behaviors among young adults using a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of individuals aged 18–24 living in Istanbul. A total of 195 participants were included in the sample, determined with an 80% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. Data were collected online between June and September 2025 using a Personal Information Form, the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), and the Social Media Impact on Eating Behaviors Scale (SMIEBS). The mean age of the participants was 20.7 ± 1.9 years, and the majority were female (71.3%). The average daily duration of social media use was 4.1 ± 2.4 hours. The mean total score for the SMAS was 67.3 ± 17.3, while the mean SMIEBS score was 40.8 ± 14.6. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between the emotional subdimension of SMAS and SMIEBS (p < 0.05). Female participants had significantly higher levels of social media addiction than males (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants who reported that social media use affected their daily lives scored significantly higher on both scales. These findings indicate that social media influences not only cognitive and behavioral aspects but also the emotional components of eating attitudes. Therefore, future studies should further explore the indirect effects of social media engagement on psychological well-being and eating behaviors.
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