Problematic social media use and overweight/obesity: explanatory pathway analysis of 124 667 in‐school adolescents in 39 high‐income countries

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe relationship between adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU) and overweight/obesity and the potential explanatory pathways for this association are unclear. This study (1) examined the relationship between PSMU and overweight/obesity and (2) evaluated potential explanatory pathways for this association.MethodsThe data used in this study came from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) survey. A sample of 124 667 in‐school adolescents from 39 high‐income countries was analysed. Sequential logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity. Pathway analysis using a non‐parametric bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesized mediating roles.ResultsThe multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher problematic social media users were 1.11 times more likely to be overweight/obese compared with those who reported low PSMU (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.05–1.18). Our bootstrapping mediation analyses showed that PSMU indirectly influenced overweight/obesity through breakfast skipping, life satisfaction, family communication, self‐rated health, and physical activity, accounting for 19.8% (β = 0.0068, Boots 95% CI = 0.0056–0.0074), 15.1% (β = 0.0050, Boots 95% CI = 0.0046–0.0056), 9.2% (β = 0.0031, Boots 95% CI = 0.0024–0.0038), 7.8% (β = 0.0024, Boots 95% CI = 0.001–0.004), and 5.2% (β = 0.0017, Boots 95% CI = 0.0014–0.0023), respectively, of the total effect.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that used nationally representative data from multiple countries in high‐income countries to examine the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity and potential explanatory pathways among school‐going adolescents. This finding has important implications for public health interventions to reduce overweight/obesity rates among young people.

Improving Students' Knowledge of Breakfast Energy and Protein Consumption through E-Booklet Media

“…Several studies have shown that promotional media can reduce problematic social media use among children and adolescents. For example, a study in Ghana found that adolescents who were exposed to messages about the negative impacts of social media were more likely to reduce their social media use than those who were not exposed (Oduro et al, 2023). Another study in South Korea found that adolescents who were exposed to campaigns featuring famous athletes as models to reduce social media use were more likely to reduce social media use than those who were not exposed (Faris et al, 2023).…”

Differences in Sensorimotor Feedback Performance by Body Weight in 12- to 15-Year-Old Adolescents

“…However, due to the decline in physical activity, an increasing number of children and adolescents exhibit reduced physical fitness and motor deficits Guthold et al, 2020). This is often associated with an increase in sedentary leisure time activities (e.g., media consumption) (Kaiser-Jovy et al, 2017;Oduro et al, 2023). Along with declining physical fitness due to physical inactivity there has been an increase in childhood and adolescent obesity (Tremblay, 2012;Biswas et al, 2015;Patterson et al, 2018;Chastin et al, 2019).…”