Impact of Internet Addiction on Obesity and Sleep Quality among Youth: A Study Based on Students of the University of Lucknow

Abstract

Technology dependence is an important public health problem. The objective of this research is to investigate the association between rapidly increasing internet addiction, obesity, and sleep quality, a major health problem in youth. In total 30 university students (15 males and 15 females; age 18-22 years) were included in the study from Lucknow University with a purposive sampling method. Sleep Quality Scale was used to evaluate sleep quality; Overweight related well being (ORWELL) evaluates obesity and Young’s Internet Addiction Test was used to assess Internet addiction among university students. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and t-test were used in data analysis. In this study, findings revealed that the Internet Addiction Test scores of males were significantly higher than females. Positive correlations were found between the Internet Addiction Test scores and sleep quality scores whereas a negative relationship was found between the Internet Addiction Test and Obesity scores. 57.3% of students were not addicted to the Internet. 35.0% of students were mildly addicted while 7.4% of students were moderately addicted and 0.3% of them have a severe addiction to the internet. A significant association was found between academic performance and Internet Addiction. Also, Internet Addiction had no significant association with Sleep quality and Obesity.