Social Media Addiction among University Students and Its Impact on Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet

Authors : Zeynep Şeyda Tut Bilim, Suphiye Mine Yurttagül

Pages : 187-193

Doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1542263

View : 131 | Download : 68

Publication Date : 2025-06-14

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Social media addiction (SMA) can negatively affect individuals\\\' physical and healthy nutrition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SMA and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) among university students. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 406 students enrolled during the Fall semester of the 2020-2021 academic year. Data collection tools included the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) to evaluate the extent of SMA and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (KIDMED) to assess dietary patterns. Results: Among the students who participated in the study the mean age of 21.07±3.06 years. 66.0% of the students consumed two main meals per day, with lunch being the most frequently skipped meal. The adherence to the MedDiet was moderate for 59.6% of male students and 57.9% of female students. 81.1% of the students spent time on social media during main meals. SMA of varying levels was detected in 63.8% of the students. A weak negative correlation was found between the KIDMED scores and the SMAS scores of the participants (p<0.05). As SMA increases, adherence to the \\\'MedDiet decreases (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that SMA negatively impacts healthy eating habits and lowering adherence to the MedDiet. Addressing these issues through awareness programs and educational interventions can help mitigate the negative effects of SMA on students\\\' dietary behaviors. These results provide valuable insights for developing public health strategies to foster healthier lifestyles among university students.
Keywords : sosyal medya bağımlılığı, Akdeniz Diyeti, sağlıklı beslenme

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