From scrolls to scales: investigating the association between maternal social media addiction and child obesity

Aims: This study aims to investigate the association between maternal social media addiction and childhood obesity. Specifically, it explores how maternal problematic social media use may contribute to childhood obesity by influencing parenting practices and the nutritional environment at home. By addressing this relationship, the study seeks to provide insight into psychosocial and digital factors that may underlie obesity risk in children, beyond traditional lifestyle-related determinants. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 161 mother-child dyads (ages 4–11) recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic. Standardized measures were used to assess maternal social media addiction (BSMAS), psychological symptoms (DASS-21), feeding styles (CFQ), and children's eating behaviors (CEBQ). Children’s BMI-for-age z-scores were calculated using WHO standards. Correlational and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 29. Results: Children with obesity (n=65) had significantly lower mean age (p=0.007) and higher maternal BMI (p=0.009) than their normal-weight peers. Mothers in the obese group reported significantly higher social media addiction scores (p=0.019), anxiety (p=0.044), and stress levels (p=0.015). Children in the obesity group exhibited higher levels of emotional overeating (p=0.027), food enjoyment (p=0.002), and emotional undereating (p<0.001). Maternal social media addiction was positively correlated with child BMI (r=0.164, p=0.038) and problematic media use in children (r=0.330, p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed that child age, maternal BMI, and maternal social media addiction significantly predicted child BMI (R²=0.308, p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that maternal social media addiction may be a relevant psychosocial risk factor for childhood obesity, influencing both maternal functioning and child media use. Preventive strategies should address family-based digital media habits alongside traditional dietary and lifestyle interventions.