The effect of internet addiction in university students between 18-25 years old on attitude of healthy nutrition

This research; Between March 2021 and September 2021, it was conducted to determine the relationship between healthy eating attitudes and internet addiction levels in 64 female and 20 male participants, selected from 18-25 years old students at Haliç University. In the study, Demographic Information Form, Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN) and Young Internet Addiction Test – Short Form (YIAT-SF) were applied. General information of the participants, socio-demographic conditions, the relationship between internet addiction and healthy eating attitude, the effect of internet addiction level on eating while busy on the internet, examination of internet addiction levels according to age, the effect of financial difficulties on attitudes towards healthy eating, the effect of father's education status on the attitude towards healthy eating was evaluated. Statistical analyzes of the findings obtained as a result of the research were made with the SPSS 22.0 data analysis program. While evaluating the data, descriptive statistical methods (frequency) and Chi-square test were applied to compare qualitative data. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. As a result of the study, it was observed that there was a statistically significant (p<0.05) and 42% negative-oriented moderate relationship between the Attitudes Scale for Healthy Nutrition and Young Internet Addiction Test – Short Form. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the Attitudes Scale for Healthy Nutrition and the variables of age, financial difficulties, and father's educational status. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the Young Internet Addiction Test – Short Form and the variables of snacking and physical activity while engaged in the Internet. No statistically significant difference was observed between the variables of the participants' gender, faculty knowledge, cohabitation, mother's education status, and nighttime sleep problems, and between ASHN and YIAT-SF. It has been observed that internet addiction among young people has an impact on attitudes towards healthy eating, and the youth and their families should be made aware of this issue, since the youth period has an important place in acquiring a healthy lifestyle. Keywords: Internet Addiction, Healthy Nutrition, Attitude Towards Nutrition Scale