Kayi Eliacik1,2, Nurullah Bolat3, Cemil Koçyiğit4, Ali Kanik5, Ellen Selkie6, Huseyin Yilmaz7, Gonul Catli4, Nihal Olgac Dundar8, Bumin Nuri Dundar4. 1. Division of Adolescent Medicine, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. kayieliacik@gmail.com. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Yenisehir, Turkey. kayieliacik@gmail.com. 3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. 4. Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. 6. Division of Adolescent Medicine, MPH, University of Michigan, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 7. Department of Pediatrics, Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. 8. Department of Pediatric Neurology, Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The rapid rise in the global prevalence of obesity suggests that environmental factors may be responsible. The increased use of technology is associated with increased rates of obesity due to declines in physical activity and significant sedentary life style. Internet addiction is also a growing health issue associated with diminished physical activity and poor sleep quality as well as various health problems. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between Internet addiction and adolescent obesity-related problems. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 71 adolescents with obesity were recruited from the outpatient clinic at Tepecik Teaching Hospital and Katip Celebi University Hospital, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology in Izmir, Turkey. The control group consisted of 64 non-obese adolescents that were matched with patients in the study group by age and gender. All subjects completed socio-demographic forms, an Internet addiction scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: Adolescents with obesity were significantly more likely to have Internet addiction (p = 0.002), lower quality of life (p < 0.001), and higher daytime sleepiness (p = 0.008). Moreover, binary regression analysis showed that Internet addiction and less physical activity were associated with increased odds of obesity. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a significant association between Internet addiction and obesity. Health practitioners should take possible Internet addiction, online activities, and physical activities into consideration in follow-up of obese adolescents. In addition to pharmacologic therapies and dietary interventions, providing behavioral therapy targeting healthy Internet use may be promising to reduce the effects of obesity in adolescence.
BACKGROUND: The rapid rise in the global prevalence of obesity suggests that environmental factors may be responsible. The increased use of technology is associated with increased rates of obesity due to declines in physical activity and significant sedentary life style. Internet addiction is also a growing health issue associated with diminished physical activity and poor sleep quality as well as various health problems. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between Internet addiction and adolescent obesity-related problems. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 71 adolescents with obesity were recruited from the outpatient clinic at Tepecik Teaching Hospital and Katip Celebi University Hospital, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology in Izmir, Turkey. The control group consisted of 64 non-obese adolescents that were matched with patients in the study group by age and gender. All subjects completed socio-demographic forms, an Internet addiction scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: Adolescents with obesity were significantly more likely to have Internet addiction (p = 0.002), lower quality of life (p < 0.001), and higher daytime sleepiness (p = 0.008). Moreover, binary regression analysis showed that Internet addiction and less physical activity were associated with increased odds of obesity. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a significant association between Internet addiction and obesity. Health practitioners should take possible Internet addiction, online activities, and physical activities into consideration in follow-up of obese adolescents. In addition to pharmacologic therapies and dietary interventions, providing behavioral therapy targeting healthy Internet use may be promising to reduce the effects of obesity in adolescence.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health-related quality of life; Obesity; Physical activity; Sleepiness
Authors: Artemis K Tsitsika; Elisabeth K Andrie; Theodora Psaltopoulou; Chara K Tzavara; Theodoros N Sergentanis; Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos; Flora Bacopoulou; Clive Richardson; George P Chrousos; Maria Tsolia Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2016-04-25 Impact factor: 3.367