Relation between Problematic Smartphone Use and Obesity among Adolescents

Background: Smartphone use grows annually, problematic Smartphone use (PSU) is frequently viewed as a type of technology addiction caused by unrestrained and excessive usage of Smartphones. Purpose: To assess the relation between problematic Smartphone use and obesity among adolescents. Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Setting: the study was carried out at Nutrition clinic of the Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition Unit in the Pediatrics Department and Pediatric Nutrition outpatient clinic at Tanta Main University Hospitals, Egypt. Sampling: A purposive sample of 250 adolescents aged 12-18years was included. Instruments: Three instruments were used (Structured Interview Questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version, Digital glass weight scale). Results: More than three quarters (80.8%) of adolescents were Smartphone addict and had problematic Smartphone use. A statistically significant difference was observed between the Smartphone addict group adolescents and the non Smartphone addict group adolescents; with regard to the category in which the adolescents' body mass index falls (obesity category).Additionally, a statistically significant and extremely positive correlation was found between Smartphone addiction and BMI. Conclusion: There was a strong relation between obesity and Smartphone addiction or PSU, as Smartphone addiction resulted in an increase in the obesity rate among adolescents. Recommendations: awareness programs should be provided for adolescents especially those suffering from obesity about the seriousness and consequences of Smartphone misuse and addiction on their health status.