Investigating the Relationship between Internet Addiction and Dietary Behavior among Students: an analytical cross-sectional study

Background: Internet addiction can affect students' general health. Regarding to the importance of healthy eating and the impact on health and academic achievement of students. This research was conducted to aim the assessment of relationship between internet addiction and dietary behavior among students. Methods: In this an analytical cross-sectional study, ۳۷۳ nursing and midwifery students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences participated in ۲۰۲۰. Data were collected by Young's Internet Addiction Scale, demographic data and Dietary Behavior questionnaire. Data analyzed by SPSS V.۲۱ and descriptive indicators including frequency, percentage, and inferential tests including chi-square test. A significance level of less than ۰.۰۵ was considered. Results: The majority of the student population had no internet addiction by ۹۱.۴%. Also, ۸.۳% and ۰.۳% from student population were potential risk and high risk respectively. There was a statistical significant correlation between levels of internet addiction and dietary behavior in high-fat diets (r = ۰.۴۸۳, P = ۰.۰۰۴), snacking (r = ۰.۴۵۵, P > ۰.۰۰۱), emotional eating behavior (r = ۰.۵۴۳, P > ۰.۰۰۱) and poor dietary pattern (r = ۰.۶۳۲; P < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusions: It is suggested to improve students' beneficial use of the internet with training and improve their dietary behavior.

Keywords:

Addiction , Nursing , Midwifery , Students , Dietary , Addictive behavior