The Relationship Between Obesity and Internet Addiction in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and internet addiction in first-year university students (aged 18-25 years).

DESIGN

The study was designed using a cross-sectional analytic model.

SETTING

Data collection took place at Dokuz Eylul University, involving a diverse group of first-year students from different faculties.

SUBJECTS

The study population comprised 12,365 students, with 2890 individuals selected using cluster sampling.

MEASURES

Internet addiction was evaluated using the Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Data on obesity-related variables and demographic details were collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, t test, and ANOVA were applied for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS

The study included 2105 participants, with 43.8% males and 56.2% females. A significant positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI) and OCS scores (P = .000), indicating a higher prevalence of internet addiction among individuals with higher BMI. Males had higher mean OCS scores (91.19 ± 35.14) than females (80.21 ± 30.51) (P = .00). Overweight and obese individuals exhibited higher scores on OCS sub-dimensions (P < .005). Notably, individuals with a BMI over 25 were categorized as overweight, and those with a BMI over 30 were classified as obese.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrate a noteworthy relationship between internet addiction and obesity among university students. The study emphasizes the necessity of increased attention to this issue in Turkey for the implementation of effective interventions and preventive measures.

The influence of health care reforms on work-related attitudes and anxieties of primary care physicians

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Reforming primary healthcare services has been the core agenda of health policies of the developing countries in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. In Turkey, the Transformation in Health Project brings along many changes in all aspects of primary health care services, such as organization and financing of services and employment of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of health care reforms on primary care physicians working in Izmir.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire and an anxiety scale were applied to a sample of primary care physicians in Izmir in 2007 and 2009. The questionnaire consisted of questions about demographic characteristics and expressions regarding the effect of reforms on physicians organized on a 7-point Likert scale. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used as an anxiety scale.

RESULTS

The mean scores given by physicians working in family health centers were significantly higher than those of physicians working in public institutions. The score for "My responsibilities are well defined" statement given by physicians working in family health centers decreased significantly in the second survey. The necessity of reforms in the health care system and primary care health services was more significantly favored by physicians working in family health centers. Persistent anxiety of physicians working in community health centers was significantly higher in both surveys.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that health reforms had a substantial impact on work-related attitudes and anxieties of primary care physicians, and this effect was maintained over time.