Bytes and bites: social media use and dietary behaviours among adolescents across 41 countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To examine the associations of problematic and excessive social media use (SMU) with dietary behaviours of adolescents.

Methods

We analysed the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey data, involving 222,865 adolescents (51.8% girls) from 41 countries. A dietary intake score was derived using consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and sugary soft-drinks. Breakfast intake was categorised as daily or non-daily. Excessive SMU assessed how often respondents had online contact through social media, and problematic SMU was assessed through symptoms of addiction.

Results

Regression analyses showed that adolescents reporting problematic SMU had 54% lower odds in boys (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.42-0.51) and 64% lower odds in girls (OR 0.36; 0.33-0.40)

SUBMITTER: Khan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811122 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature