Determination of the relationship between obesity and problematic i̇nternet usage in adölescent

In every age group in Turkey and arund the world, obesity is among the causes of preventable death. One of the important factors that adversely affect adolescent health in the last two decades and lead to obesity is technology dependency.With the enhancement and overuse of technology we have come to notice that technological addiction has taken its place along side other major addictions such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Many researchs have proven that addiction to technology has negatively impacted human health in many different scales. In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between obesity and problematic internet usege in adolescents. Our research is based in Gaziantep City Private Erdem College and the subjects of the research are the students between the ages of 10-19 who attend the above institution (n=756). Due to limitations in our research, only % 63.53 of students from this institution has been surveyed (n=474). The factors that have been taken into consideration throughout this research are as follows; the socio-demographics of adolescents, nutrition, diet and physical routines. These factors have been scaled and evaluated using a survey form and Ceyhan et al. and this scale was applied with face-to-face interview technique. A research specialist has been appointed in order to determine the Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the obtained data, the ages of the adolescents participating in the study were the lowest 10, the highest 19 (X ̅ = 14.94 ± 2.09). More than half of the participants (62%) were 15 years of age or older. 51.7% of the students are male and 48.3% are female. According to gender distributions, the obese and overweight ratio of males (%37.6) is statistically higher than females (%32.9) (p <0.05). It has been found that girl students ( X ̅±SS =62.87± 20.82) have less problematic internet use behaviors than males ( X ̅±SS =70.43±22.17) and the difference between them is statistically significant. The average score of obese people's problemic internet usage scale was found to be higher than the other groups. There was a statistically significant difference between age, gender, socioeconomic status, unhealthy eating habits (not having breakfast, before going to bed snacking on the internet) and problem internet use.(p <0.05). However, it was found that there was no difference between physical activity rate and problemic internet usage scale mean scores (p> 0.05). Problematic internet usege and the damages of obesity affect not only the adolescents but the whole society. Periodic screening should be done to determine the prevalence of obesity and problematic internet usege. Training programs on regular physical activity and healthy nutrition should be prepared and guidance services should be provided for the reduction of obesity rates and the protection of ideal weight