TR
EN
Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between social media addiction, body image, and physical activity in university students.
Material and Methods: A total of 301 undergraduate students (210 females and 91 males) participated in the study. The Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), Social Media Intensity Scale (SMIS), Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), and Physical Activity Scale-2 (PAS-2) were used as outcome measures.
Results: In the comparison of the results by gender, the physical activity level of male students was found to be higher than that of female students (p<0.05). A moderate negative correlation was found between SMAS-SF and BAS (r=-0.401, p<0.001). Additionally, a weak negative correlations were observed between SMAS-SF and PAS-2 (r=-0.357, p<0.001), SMIS and BAS (r=-0.273, p<0.01), as well as SMIS and PAS-2 (r=-0.170, p=0.003). SMAS-SF explained 13.8% of the variance in BAS, and 9.3% of the variance in PAS-2 (p<0.001). SMIS explained 4.9% of the variance in BAS and 1.2% of the variance in PAS-2 (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Excessive use of social media and social media addiction in young adults can adversely affect body image and physical activity.
Keywords
References
- 1. Diomidous M, Chardalias K, Magita A, Koutonias P, Panagiotopoulou P, Mantas J. Social and Psychological Effects of the Internet Use. Acta Inform Med. 2016;24(1):66-8.
- 2. Kuss DJ, Griffiths MD. Online social networking and addiction--a review of the psychological literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011;8(9):3528-52.
- 3. WHO. Public Health Implications of Excessive Use of the Internet, Computers, Smartphones and Similar Electronic Devices. World Health Organization. 2014.
- 4. Kaess M. Editorial: Social media use in children and adolescents - on the good or the bad side of the force? Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2020;25(4):199-200.
- 5. Toma CL, Chen YA, Olson C, Fan T, Brown BB. Youth Social Media Use and Well-Being. The International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology. 2020. p. 1-10.
- 6. Datareportal. Digital 2022: Global overview report. [updated 2022 Jan 26, cited 2023 Dec 21] Available from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-global-overview-report.
- 7. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. Hanehalkı Bilişim Teknolojileri (BT) kullanım araştırması. 2022. Available from: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Hanehalki-Bilisim-Teknolojileri-(BT)-Kullanim-Arastirmasi-2023-49407.
- 8. Serenko A, Turel O, Giles P. Integrating Technology Addiction and Adoption: An Empirical Investigation of Online Auction Websites. 2009. 395 p.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Physiotherapy
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
January 28, 2026
Submission Date
November 11, 2024
Acceptance Date
May 28, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 1
APA
Yenil Kocabay, S., Şavkın, R., & Büker, N. (2026). Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 11(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080
AMA
1.Yenil Kocabay S, Şavkın R, Büker N. Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026;11(1):19-24. doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080
Chicago
Yenil Kocabay, Sinem, Raziye Şavkın, and Nihal Büker. 2026. “Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity Among University Students”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11 (1): 19-24. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080.
EndNote
Yenil Kocabay S, Şavkın R, Büker N (January 1, 2026) Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11 1 19–24.
IEEE
[1]S. Yenil Kocabay, R. Şavkın, and N. Büker, “Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students”, İKÇÜSBFD, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 19–24, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080.
ISNAD
Yenil Kocabay, Sinem - Şavkın, Raziye - Büker, Nihal. “Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity Among University Students”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi 11/1 (January 1, 2026): 19-24. https://doi.org/10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080.
JAMA
1.Yenil Kocabay S, Şavkın R, Büker N. Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026;11:19–24.
MLA
Yenil Kocabay, Sinem, et al. “Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity Among University Students”. İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 19-24, doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080.
Vancouver
1.Sinem Yenil Kocabay, Raziye Şavkın, Nihal Büker. Investigating the Relationship Between Social Media Addiction, Body Image, and Physical Activity among University Students. İKÇÜSBFD. 2026 Jan. 1;11(1):19-24. doi:10.61399/ikcusbfd.1583080