Relationship between internet and smartphone addiction and eating attitude and feelings of loneliness in young and adults

Abstract

Abstract Background The developing technology and the rapid increase in the use of the internet, smartphones, and mobile applications can disrupt the daily quality of life of individuals. This research aimed to scrutinize the link between the internet and smartphone addiction of individuals, eating attitude, and loneliness status. This research was carried out in Ankara, Turkey, and cross-sectional study. A total of 643 (M = 240, F = 403) volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50 participated in the study. Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Young Internet Addiction Test (YIAT), Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and UCLA Loneliness Scales were used in this study. Results As the age of the participants increased, YIAT (r = − 0.352, p < 0.01), SAS scale (r = − 0.302, p < 0.01), and UCLA questionnaire scores (r = − 107, p < 0.01) decreased. When BMI of individuals increas, YIAT (r = − 0.163, p < 0.01), and SAS scale (r = − 0.173, p < 0.01) scores decrease. As a result of logistic regression multiple analysis, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values for the risk of abnormal eating attitudes were 1.654 (1.166–2.607) in overweight and 2.257 (1.466–3.477) in smartphone addiction (p < 0.05). Conclusions According to the results of this study, it can be put forth that smartphone and internet addiction is associated with abnormal eating attitude and loneliness.

Keywords

• Internet addiction
• Smartphone addiction
• Loneliness
• Eating attitude
• Body mass index