Saudi Journal of Oral and Dental Research (SJODR)
Volume-4 | Issue-12 | 801-806
Original Research Article
Assessment of Association between Internet Addiction and Dietary Habits among College Students
Dr. Bhavana G, Dr. Jithesh Jain, Dr. Bhakti Jaduram Sadhu, Dr. Ananda S R., Dr. Anjali Reji
Published : Dec. 10, 2019
Abstract
Internet addiction has gradually become a serious issue in public health worldwide. Especially college students are vulnerable to developing dependence on the Internet, more than most other segments of the society. Hence the present was intended to assess the internet addiction and dietary habits and also to find association between internet addiction and dietary habits among college students. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted amongst 5 colleges of Coorg district. Data was collected on a semi constructed, close ended, structured questionnaire consisting socio-demographic information, questions on Internet addiction (10) and dietary habits (6). Collected Data was coded and fed in SPSS for analysis. A total of 300 students (19.86 ± 0.94 years) were included. When the scores were tabulated, 46.1% mildly addicted, 47.2% moderately addicted and 6.6% severely addicted to internet. 20.3% occasionally found it difficult to stay away from net for several days. 26.7% of participants always lost sleep due to late night log-ins. Among severe internet addicts, 17.6% eat more when they are anxious, worried or tense (p= 0.001). 64.7% often snack more in the evening (p= 0.006) and 58.8% of severe internet addicts took longer time to eat dinner (p = 0.006). In the current study, internet usage had an adverse impact on the college students in terms of difficulty in staying away from net for several days, losing sleep and to certain extent on dietary habits too. Hence it is necessary to increase the public awareness regarding internet addiction and its impact on dietary habits.