Effect of Internet Addiction on Sleep Quality, Physical Activity and Cognitive Status Among University Students

Abstract

Objective:While the acceptable use of the internet is beneficial, internet addiction, which is defined as the individual’s inability to control Internet use in addition to excessive Internet use, is a clinical condition that has various negative effects, especially on teenagers. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of internet addiction on various parameters like body mass index, physical activity, sleep quality and cognitive status in university students.Materials and Methods:A total of 1.007 university students were included in the study. The participants were asked to fill in questionnaires prepared by the researchers. Demographic information of the participants was recorded. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form), Internet Addiction Test, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Cognitive Failures Questionnaire were used during face-to-face assessment.Results:In the Internet Addiction Test, 82.6% (n=832) of the participants were defined as ‘‘normal internet users’’ who received scores <50, whereas 17.4% (n=175) were defined as ‘‘problematic Internet users’’ with scores ≥50. Problematic internet users had higher body mass index (p=0.0001). In addition, a low-level and positive correlation was observed between poor sleep quality and total and sub-dimension scores in the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire with problematic Internet use.Conclusion:Internet addiction influences the body mass index, leading to obesity, low sleep quality and cognitive disorders, such as attention and memory problems that may be encountered in daily life.

Keywords

• body mass index
• cognitive status
• internet addiction
• physical activity
• sleep