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Impact of increasing social media use on sitting time and body mass index
Author(s) -
Alley Stephanie,
Wellens Pauline,
Schoeppe Stephanie,
Vries Hein,
Rebar Amanda L.,
Short Camille E.,
Duncan Mitch J.,
Vandelanotte Corneel
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he16026
Subject(s) - sitting , body mass index , screen time , social media , medicine , psychology , demography , gerontology , physical therapy , sociology , physical activity , computer science , world wide web , pathology
Issue addressed Sedentary behaviours, in particular sitting, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and poorer mental health status. In Australia, 70% of adults sit for more than 8 h per day. The use of social media applications (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) is on the rise; however, no studies have explored the association of social media use with sitting time and body mass index (BMI). Methods Cross‐sectional self‐report data on demographics, BMI and sitting time were collected from 1140 participants in the 2013 Queensland Social Survey. Generalised linear models were used to estimate associations of a social media score calculated from social media use, perceived importance of social media, and number of social media contacts with sitting time and BMI. Results Participants with a high social media score had significantly greater sitting times while using a computer in leisure time and significantly greater total sitting time on non‐workdays. However, no associations were found between social media score and sitting to view TV, use motorised transport, work or participate in other leisure activities; or total workday, total sitting time or BMI. Conclusions These results indicate that social media use is associated with increased sitting time while using a computer, and total sitting time on non‐workdays. So what? The rise in social media use may have a negative impact on health by contributing to computer sitting and total sitting time on non‐workdays. Future longitudinal research with a representative sample and objective sitting measures is needed to confirm findings.