The relationship between problematic digital media use and food addiction, eating behaviours, and obesity: a cross-sectional study on Turkish university students
BMC Psychology, vol.14, no.1, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 14 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1186/s40359-026-04168-3
- Journal Name: BMC Psychology
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Keywords: Eating disorders, Food addiction, Obesity, Problematic smartphone use, Problematic social media use
- Inonu University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Problematic use of social media and smartphones has been increasingly linked to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and weight-related problems. However, limited evidence exists on how these digital behaviors are associated with food addiction and obesity in young adults. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between problematic digital media use and food addiction, eating behaviours, and obesity among Turkish university students. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and March 2025 with 331 students. Participants completed validated instruments, including the Social Media Addiction Scale–Adult Form, the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Form, the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0, and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire–Short Form (EDE-Q13). Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.49 ± 3.88 years, and 81% were female. Problematic smartphone use was significantly higher among students with moderate food addiction compared to those without food addiction (p < 0.001). Severe food addic-tion was associated with higher prevalence of eating disorders (p < 0.001) and higher BMI values (p < 0.001). Weak but significant correlations were found between problematic so-cial media use and binge eating (r = 0.133, p = 0.015) as well as purging behaviors (r = 0.190, p = 0.001). Similar associations emerged between problematic smartphone use and binge eating (r = 0.136, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Findings indicate that problematic social media and smartphone use are associated with food addiction, eating disorders, and higher BMI among young adults. Nevertheless, these results highlight the need for preventive strategies addressing digital media use in the context of eating behaviors and obesity risk.