The association between social media use and unhealthy behaviours among adolescents in Sweden A Health Behaviour in School- aged children (HBSC) study

Abstract

Background Excessive screen exposure among children correlates with behaviors that promote obesity, such as prolonged sitting and reduced sleep, as well as negative impacts on mental health. Adolescence is a critical time of life with greater responsibility and advanced thinking, shaping the groundwork for adulthood and beyond life health. The aim of this study is to investigate which unhealthy behaviours are associated to using social media among adolescents in Sweden and to explore, to what extent have adolescent social media use has changed in Sweden between the year 2017/18 and 2021/2022.

Methods The sample consisted of cross-sectional, self-reported data from the Swedish cohort of the 2017/18 and 2021/2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey (n=7830). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios for the association between the outcome variable physical activity and unhealthy eating habits, and the exposure variables: Social media use, measured in time spent on communication through social media, while adjusting for covariates. Gender and grade specified analysis was conducted. Social media use between two time points (2017/18 & 20121/22) was also observed.

Results After adjustment for covariates, no association was found between intense social media use and physical activity. There was a significant association between social media use and unhealthy eating habits. Stratified analysis showed gender differences in the associations, with higher odds of social media use for girls.

Conclusion Social media use can be considered a proximal social determinant of adolescent health through its demonstrated association with unhealthy eating habits. This finding can have impact on public health implications. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this finding.