Internet addiction, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms are associated with the risk of eating disorders among university students in Bangladesh

The association of binge eating with internet addiction, body shape concerns, and BMI among university students in the United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder with university students being particularly vulnerable. The study aimed to investigate the association between binge eating and Internet addiction (IA), body shape (BS) concerns, and body mass index (BMI) among university students.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 448 university students (221 males and 227 females) aged between 18 and 25 years were recruited. A multicomponent questionnaire included socio-demographic information, and validated scales such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Binge-Eating Disorder Screener-7 (BEDS-7), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Anthropometric measurements [weight, height, and waist circumference (WC)] were recorded, and BMI was calculated.

RESULTS

The findings reported that approximately 31% of the participants were at risk of BED, 24.3% had moderate/severe IA, 27.8% were moderate/marked concerned about their BS, and 41.1% were overweight/obese. The risk of BED was significantly associated with IA (OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 0.34-0.93; p < 0.005), BS concerns (OR = 1.39, 95%CI:0.90-2.16; p < 0.001), BMI (OR = 1.74, 95%CI:1.16-2.60; p < 0.005), and WC (OR = 1.78, 95%CI: 1.16-2.75; p < 0.006). Regression analysis showed that the risk of BED had a highly significant positive association with WC, BSQ, and IA with the WC identified as the strongest predictor for risk of BED (β = 0.23, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the need for targeted national initiatives and awareness programs that promote balanced food consumption, healthy internet use, and increased physical activity among young adults of both sexes. By fostering these healthy habits, such interventions can reduce the risk of binge eating disorder and support overall mental and physical well-being in this population.

Prevalence and Correlates of Poor Sleep Quality Among Psychiatry Physicians in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aims

Sleep issues pose a significant burden to public health and well-being in Saudi Arabia. However, research evidence on sleep health among psychiatry physicians in this territory is limited. Therefore, to bridge the research gap, this study was designed to assess the prevalence and predictors of poor sleep quality among psychiatry physicians in the country.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 554 psychiatry physicians in Saudi Arabia from March to August 2023. Data were collected via online through a structured questionnaire (Google survey form). Sleep quality, the outcome variable of our study, was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; 19 items). Independent variables included sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, sleep habits, major depression (assessed with Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and anxiety (measured with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) symptoms. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the correlates of poor sleep quality.

Results

Based on the PSQI, 61.3% of the study participants had poor-quality sleep (age range: 24-56 years, male: 48.0%). The adjusted model revealed that male participants (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.70-4.61) and those who had on-call duties ≥ 2 times per week (for three/four per week: AOR = 3.41, 95% CI = 1.89-6.14) were at higher risk of developing poor sleep quality compared to their respective counterparts. Participants with depressive symptoms (AOR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.60-7.48) and smoking habits (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.32-9.08) had higher odds of developing poor sleep quality than their counterparts. Moreover, participants who always used their smartphone/laptop before going to bed were more likely to have poor sleep quality than those who never used such (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.31-7.60).

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality is extremely prominent among psychiatry physicians in Saudi Arabia. Male sex, higher on-call duty, smoking habits, depression, and smartphone/laptop use before bedtime were significantly associated with poor sleep quality. These findings emphasize the need for sleep-health promotion interventions for Saudi psychiatry physicians.

Night Eating Syndrome Among University Students in Bangladesh: Investigation of Prevalence and Associated Factors

OBJECTIVE

Night eating syndrome (NES) has been associated with psychological issues and academic performance among university students in several countries, yet research on NES in Bangladesh remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with NES among university students in the country.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 500 students from five public universities in Bangladesh. A validated 14-item night eating questionnaire was used to assess NES as the outcome variable. Demographic factors, depressive symptoms measured via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and internet addiction levels measured via Orman's Internet Addiction Survey (OIAS) were explored as predictor variables. A multiple binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the correlation of NES and its associated factors, with results presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and level of significance set at p values < 0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of NES among participants was 16.6% (mean age = 21.6 years, 53.6% male). Adjusted binary logistic regression revealed that male participants (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.09-3.74, p = 0.024), smoking (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.02-4.44, p = 0.044), depressive symptoms (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.26-3.72, p = 0.005), and severe internet addiction (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.28-5.62, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with increased odds of experiencing NES.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the need for heightened healthy eating awareness programs along with targeted mental health interventions with students attending Bangladeshi universities. Further research that explores longitudinal patterns of NES and the risk factors addressed in this study is warranted to better understand and inform the development of future interventions to benefit the Bangladeshi university student population.

Investigating social media addiction and impact of social media addiction, loneliness, depression, life satisfaction and problem-solving skills on academic self-efficacy and academic success among university students

Introduction

The negative effects of post-COVID-19 restrictions have been detected in students' mental well-being due to internet addiction, changing habits, despair and uncertainty. Students' academic success is expected to be affected by social media addiction, loneliness, depression, life satisfaction, problem solving skills and academic self-efficacy factors. This study aimed to determine the level of social media addiction and the effects of these factors on the academic success of university students and define their interactions with each other.

Methods

Four hundred nineteen questionnaires were collected between October-December 2022 at Bingöl University, Türkiye. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, One-Way ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze data with the help of the SPSS 22 software.

Results

Middle level grade (GPA) average (71,17 ± 9,69 out of 100), low level social support from friends and family members (34,6%), spending more than 4 h on social media (42,5%), middle level social media addiction, moderate depression level (51,31%-PHQ > 10), mild loneliness and slight dissatisfaction with life were found among students. Furthermore, high academic self-efficacy, moderate agreement with academic performance and good problem-solving skills were indicated in the survey results. Significant differences, such as higher life satisfaction among males and higher depression among females, were measured. Academic self-efficacy scale, problem solving skills and satisfaction with life had a negative correlation with social media addiction and depression, while a positive correlation with academic performance measures. Problem solving skills, satisfaction with life, fourth class vs. others and living alone vs. others were positive predictors of the academic self-efficacy. Meanwhile, loneliness was a negative predictor of the academic self-efficacy, while higher problem-solving skills and being female were positive factors leading to a higher GPA.

Discussion

The fact that the participants were only students from Bingöl University limits the ability to generalize the results. Policymakers could implement social and problem-solving skills training to develop better academic programs and cognitive-behavioral therapy for students' academic success.

Internet addiction and its relationship with food choice motives and the risk of eating disorders among young adults in Malaysia

The COVID-19 lockdown measures have dramatically altered the daily routines of young adults. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the relationships between internet addiction, food choice motives and the risk of eating disorders in young adults during the transition to the endemic phase of COVID-19. The Internet Addiction Test was utilised to evaluate the presence and severity of internet addiction among young adults. The Food Choice Questionnaire was employed to assess the food choice motives of young adults, while the risk of eating disorders was determined using the Eating Attitude Test-26. The relationships between internet addiction, food choice motives, and the risk of eating disorders were assessed using model 4 of the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The findings indicated that 29.0% of young adults experienced moderate-to-severe internet addiction, whereas 32.6% were at risk of eating disorders. Young adults were highly valued for the price, sensory appeal, and mood when deciding food choices. The relationship between internet addiction and the risk of eating disorders was partially mediated by convenience (b = - 0.211, SE = 0.140, - 0.548 to - 0.016) and familiarity (b = 0.219, SE = 0.122, 0.019 to 0.494). A significant direct effect was also observed between internet addiction and the risk of eating disorders (B = 0.793, p = 0.017). There is an urgent need to implement intervention strategies aimed at reducing problematic internet use, promoting healthier food choices, and fostering healthy eating habits among young adults.