Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents

Hüseyin Ünlü; Özgür Aktaş; Büşra Özdek

doi:10.32706/tusbid.1823789

TR EN

Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether there were significant differences in body mass index, physical activity, screen exposure, and psychological well-being among early adolescents by gender, and to examine the relationships among these variables. A total of 216 middle school students with a mean age of 11.31 participated in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and the results indicated that the data were normally distributed. Independent samples t-test results showed a significant difference in body mass index by gender (p<.05), while no significant differences were found between gender and physical activity, psychological well-being, or screen exposure (p>.05). The Pearson correlation test revealed a low negative correlation between physical activity and body mass index, and a low positive correlation between physical activity and psychological well-being. A low negative correlation was also found between screen exposure and psychological well-being. In conclusion, gender appears to be a significant factor influencing body mass index, and the correlation results may contribute to the literature on obesity prevention and treatment strategies. Moreover, it was observed that the number of early adolescents who are overweight or obese, have low physical activity and psychological well-being, or exceed the recommended screen exposure should not be underestimated.

Keywords

Adolescent health, body image, digital addiction, health behaviors, psychosocial development

Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether there were significant differences in body mass index, physical activity, screen exposure, and psychological well-being among early adolescents by gender, and to examine the relationships among these variables. A total of 216 middle school students with a mean age of 11.31 participated in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, and the results indicated that the data were normally distributed. Independent samples t-test results showed a significant difference in body mass index by gender (p<.05), while no significant differences were found between gender and physical activity, psychological well-being, or screen exposure (p>.05). The Pearson correlation test revealed a low negative correlation between physical activity and body mass index, and a low positive correlation between physical activity and psychological well-being. A low negative correlation was also found between screen exposure and psychological well-being. In conclusion, gender appears to be a significant factor influencing body mass index, and the correlation results may contribute to the literature on obesity prevention and treatment strategies. Moreover, it was observed that the number of early adolescents who are overweight or obese, have low physical activity and psychological well-being, or exceed the recommended screen exposure should not be underestimated.

Keywords

Adolescent health, body image, digital addiction, health behaviors, psychosocial development

Supporting Institution

This project work was supported by Aksaray University, Specialization in Sports and Health.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Aksaray University Human Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: E-34183927-000-00000673556).

Thanks

Aksaray National Education Directorate

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Activity and Health, Sports Science and Exercise (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Hüseyin Ünlü
0000-0002-3079-4417
Türkiye

Özgür Aktaş ^*
0000-0002-3709-2813
Türkiye

Büşra Özdek
0000-0001-8333-9971
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

March 30, 2026

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

November 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1823789

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93KY87UU

APA

Ünlü, H., Aktaş, Ö., & Özdek, B. (2026). Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents. Turkish Journal of Sports Science, 10(1), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1823789

AMA

1.Ünlü H, Aktaş Ö, Özdek B. Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026;10(1):28-37. doi:10.32706/tusbid.1823789

Chicago

Ünlü, Hüseyin, Özgür Aktaş, and Büşra Özdek. 2026. “Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10 (1): 28-37. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1823789.

EndNote

Ünlü H, Aktaş Ö, Özdek B (March 1, 2026) Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10 1 28–37.

IEEE

[1]H. Ünlü, Ö. Aktaş, and B. Özdek, “Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents”, Turkish Journal of Sports Science, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 28–37, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.32706/tusbid.1823789.

ISNAD

Ünlü, Hüseyin - Aktaş, Özgür - Özdek, Büşra. “Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 28-37. https://doi.org/10.32706/tusbid.1823789.

JAMA

1.Ünlü H, Aktaş Ö, Özdek B. Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026;10:28–37.

MLA

Ünlü, Hüseyin, et al. “Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents”. Turkish Journal of Sports Science, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 28-37, doi:10.32706/tusbid.1823789.

Vancouver

1.Hüseyin Ünlü, Özgür Aktaş, Büşra Özdek. Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents. Turkish Journal of Sports Science. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):28-37. doi:10.32706/tusbid.1823789

Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents

Abstract

Keywords

Obesity Prevalence, Physical Activity, Screen Exposure and Psychological Well-Being: A Study on Early Adolescents

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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