The Relationship Between Internet Addiction and Nutrition Exercise Behaviors in Adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and nutrition exercise behaviors in adolescents. Materials and Methods: The universe of the descriptive study is the 6th, 7th and 8th grade adolescent students studying in a secondary school in Giresun (n = 440). The study was completed with a total of 400 students who agreed to participate in the study (91%). Data were collected by using the Descriptive Information Form, Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) and Nutrition Exercise Behavior Scale (NEBS). The data were analyzed with SPSS 20.00 program and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, variance, t test, Kruskall Wallis test) were used. Results: The mean age of the participants was 12.25±0.98 and 51.25% were women, 50.75% were using the internet for at least one hour and 31.75% were using the internet for information purposes. The IAS and Unhealthy Nutrition-Exercise Behavior dimension scores of adolescents were found to be against the males. There is a relationship between adolescent school achievement and internet addiction and nutrition exercise behaviors, IAS and NEBS scores according to the time spent by the adolescents on the internet daily and the purpose of internet use. Conclusion: It is seen that there is a relationship between internet addiction and nutrition exercise behaviors according to different descriptive characteristics of adolescents. Early identification of risk factors and cooperation with school-parents-students is required and it is recommended that adolescents are supported with appropriate training. © 2020 Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University. All Rights Reserved.