Journal Article

The relationship between internet addiction and lifestyle among high school students: A cross sectional in the west of Iran

Mohammadi, Donya, Sadeghi, Shahram, Mahmoodi, Hassan, Shokri, Azad, Moradi, Mahana, Qaderi Bagajan, Kaveh, Mohamadi, Asra

2024

Overview

Excessive internet usage can precipitate internet addiction (IA), negatively impacting lifestyle behaviors, especially during adolescence. These warrants investigating associations between IA and lifestyle factors. To examine the relationship between IA and health-promoting lifestyle dimensions among Iranian high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 students from Sanandaj, Iran selected via cluster sampling. IA was assessed using the Young IA Test. Lifestyle was measured via the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaire. Regression analyses evaluated associations while adjusting for covariates. Approximately 25% of participants were at risk of internet addiction. Prevalence variations across groups lacked significance. Non-addicted students had significantly higher overall healthy lifestyle scores (p<0.05). Spiritual growth, health responsibility and nutrition scores significantly differed between addicted and non-addicted students. Regression analyses revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between IA and lifestyle even after adjustment (p<0.001). Nutrition and physical activity scores particularly declined for those at risk of addiction. IA was significantly associated with unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary behavior, and a lower healthy lifestyle. It may also hinder stress management and spiritual well-being. With rising internet integration, collaborative awareness programs between educational institutions, families, and communities are warranted to curb addiction risks and promote healthy lifestyles in youth. This study provides valuable insights, though longitudinal research is needed to establish causality.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Addictions / Addictive behaviors / Adolescence / Adolescent / Adolescents / Analysis / Behavior, Addictive - epidemiology / Behavior, Addictive - psychology / COVID-19 / Cross-Sectional Studies / Diet / Exercise / Female / Health aspects / Health promotion / High school students / Humans / Internet / Internet access / Internet Addiction Disorder - epidemiology / Internet Addiction Disorder - psychology / Iran - epidemiology / Life Style / Male / Pathological Internet Use / Physical activity / Prevention / Psychological aspects / Regression analysis / Risk factors / Secondary schools / Social aspects / Social networks / Spiritual formation / Statistical analysis / Students / Students - psychology / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Teenagers / Well being / Youth