Problematic social media use and overweight/obesity: explanatory pathway analysis of 124 667 in‐school adolescents in 39 high‐income countries

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe relationship between adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU) and overweight/obesity and the potential explanatory pathways for this association are unclear. This study (1) examined the relationship between PSMU and overweight/obesity and (2) evaluated potential explanatory pathways for this association.MethodsThe data used in this study came from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children (HBSC) survey. A sample of 124 667 in‐school adolescents from 39 high‐income countries was analysed. Sequential logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity. Pathway analysis using a non‐parametric bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesized mediating roles.ResultsThe multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher problematic social media users were 1.11 times more likely to be overweight/obese compared with those who reported low PSMU (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.05–1.18). Our bootstrapping mediation analyses showed that PSMU indirectly influenced overweight/obesity through breakfast skipping, life satisfaction, family communication, self‐rated health, and physical activity, accounting for 19.8% (β = 0.0068, Boots 95% CI = 0.0056–0.0074), 15.1% (β = 0.0050, Boots 95% CI = 0.0046–0.0056), 9.2% (β = 0.0031, Boots 95% CI = 0.0024–0.0038), 7.8% (β = 0.0024, Boots 95% CI = 0.001–0.004), and 5.2% (β = 0.0017, Boots 95% CI = 0.0014–0.0023), respectively, of the total effect.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that used nationally representative data from multiple countries in high‐income countries to examine the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity and potential explanatory pathways among school‐going adolescents. This finding has important implications for public health interventions to reduce overweight/obesity rates among young people.