Investigation of the effect of stress and smartphone addiction on emotional eating behavior and eating addiction in adolescents

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between stress and smartphone addiction, food addiction and emotional eating in adolescents. 500 adolescents, 305 girls and 195 boys, were included in the study. A survey form in which participants were asked about their personal information, Adolescent Stress Scale (ASQ-S), Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (ATBÖ-KV), Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents (EES-C) and YALE Food Addiction Scale for Children 2.0 ( YFAS-C 2.0) was applied. It was found that adolescent girls' YFAS-C 2.0, ASQ-S and ATBÖ-KV scores were higher than adolescent boys (p<0.001). It was determined that the EES-C total scores of adolescents who ate 3 meals and 3 or more snacks were significantly higher than those who ate 1 or 2 meals and snacks (p=0.004). It was determined that the YFAS-C 2.0 scores of adolescents who had 2 or more snacks were significantly higher than those who did not have snacks (p<0.001). ASQ-S scores and ATBÖ-KV scores of adolescents who skip meals were determined to be significantly higher than those who did not skip meals (p<0.001; p=0.004, respectively). A positive, very weak and statistically significant relationship was detected between participants' Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2) and YFAS-C 2.0, and between BMI Z-score and YFAS-C 2.0 (p<0.05; p=0.003, respectively). A positive, weak and statistically significant relationship was detected between YFAS-C 2.0 and ASQ-S and ATBÖ-KV (p<0.05). The risk of smartphone addiction will increase by 5.7% when YFAS-C 2.0 increases by 1 unit, and by 3.1% when ASQ-S increases by 1 unit (OR=1.057; OR=1.031, respectively). As a result, it appears that stress and smartphone addiction have a significant impact on eating behaviors in adolescents. In order to prevent eating disorders in adolescents, interventions related to stress management and smartphone use need to be developed, especially in schools.