The mediating role of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the association between obesity and problematic social media use in young adults

Abstract

Background: Obesity has been associated with problematic internet use or internet use characterized by impulsivity, dependence, risk taking or impairment. Despite the unique affordances and growing popularity of social media, few studies have investigated obesity in relation to the problematic use of social media in contrast to general internet use. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity and problematic social media use and to test symptoms of anxiety and depression as potential mediators of this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to young adults between the ages of 18-25 using the Qualtrics platform. Two mediation models were tested using model 4 of the PROCESS Macro in SPSS. Results: Participants (n = 4939) were between the ages of 18-25 (M = 21.74, SD = 2.3). Participants were 50.6% female (n = 2496) and 58.1% White (n = 2871). Reporting obesity was positively associated with reporting increased levels of problematic social media use, B = 1.15, SE B = .32, t(1, 4938) = 3.59, p < .001. The indirect effects in each model from obesity to problematic social media use, through both symptoms of anxiety and depression separately, were significant, B = .14, SE B = .05, confidence interval [0.055, .231] and B = .16, SE B = .07, confidence interval [0.018, .317], respectively. Conclusions: Young adults who present both with obesity and with symptoms of depression or anxiety are more at risk for problematic social media use. These patients may benefit from education on health-promoting social media use.

Time spent on social media use and BMI z‐score: A cross‐sectional explanatory pathway analysis of 10798 14‐year‐old boys and girls

“…4 Other methods of characterizing social media use (e.g., problematic social media use) have been found to be positively associated with selfreported obesity in young adults. 40 However, problematic social media use has been criticized for inconsistency surrounding the condition's definition, a lack of proven reliable and valid measurement scales, and poor correlation with objective measures of social media use. 41 It is necessary to be cautious when drawing conclusions about the relationship between time spent on social media use and BMI z-score given the majority of studies to date use sub-optimal data.…”

The impact of social media usage on lifestyle behaviors and health

“…It was reported in a study of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) that "the PHQ-9 is a reliable and valid measure of depressive symptoms in SSc that performs similar to the CES-D, but is more quickly and easily administered and scored." 25 A total PHQ-9 score was calculated by question response, and respondents were categorized into one of the five PHQ-9 categories associated with their cutoff scores: none/minimal (1-4), mild depression (5-9), moderate depression (10-14), moderately severe depression (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), or severely depressed (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). These cutoff scores have been validated for its high sensitivity and specificity, and therefore have been accepted for use in a variety of researches.…”

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

“…16,22 Adolescent obesity raises the likelihood of developing costly yet generally preventable conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, in later life. 22,23 Hence, initiatives to prevent obesity in adolescents must be based on understanding the essential risk factors. 20 Extant literature has established significant associations between the excessive use of social media and the risk of obesity and overweight in children and in-school adolescents in high-income countries.…”

“…Research has shown that obesity and overweight play a significant role in years lived with a disability 16,22 . Adolescent obesity raises the likelihood of developing costly yet generally preventable conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, in later life 22,23 . Hence, initiatives to prevent obesity in adolescents must be based on understanding the essential risk factors 20 …”