Determining the influence of using social media on eating attitudes among university students

The present study aims to investigate the effects of social media applications, which we frequently use in our daily lives and become indispensable on the eating attitude of university students. The fact that young people use social media applications excessively in this critical period of their lives may cause health problems such as obesity, as well as negatively affect body perception and even affect their future health status. The thesis was planned as a cross-sectional descriptive study and conducted with 509 (346 women, 163 men) and mean age (21.5 ± 2.32) students who received undergraduate education at Yeditepe University Kayışdağı 26 August Campus and using social media. Young Internet Addiction Short Form was used to identify internet addiction. Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale used for identify social media addiction, Eating Attitude Test was used to determine irregular eating attitudes, and Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg / m2) was to determine obesity status. The data were collected online and in face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. As a result of the study concluded that social media addiction differs according to age, gender, where the person lives, and frequency. It found that the sub-dimensions of Eating Attitude Test differed according to gender, BMI, the effect of social media on eating attitude, visuals encountered in social media, and application of the recipes seen in social media. BMI varied according to gender and EAT sub-factors. As a result, social media addiction can lead to the development of obesity risk factors and unhealthy nutritional attitudes.