Relationship between Facebook Addiction and Abnormal Eating Attitudes and Behaviors among Female Adolescents in Patumthani Province, Thailand
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives : To determine the relationship between Facebook addiction and abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors among female adolescents in Pathumthani
Method : This cross-sectional descriptive study was obtained data from 400 female high school students aged 15-18 years from two schools in Pathumthani. The research instruments consisted of the self-administered questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, Facebook usage, the Thai version of Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (Thai-BFAS) and the Thai version of Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The data was analyzed by using percentage, mean, chi-square, t-test and multiple logistic regression.
Results : Four hundred students were recruited and the mean age was 16.8 years old (standard deviation 0.99). Most of the subjects had normal body mass index (mean 21.04 ± SD 4.33). The results showed that 111 students (28.1%) were addicted to Facebook (Thai-BFAS ≥12) and 56 students (14.2%) had scores above the cut-off (≥12) for abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors on the EAT-26. Statistically significant association was found between Facebook addiction and abnormal eating attitudes (Odd ratio 2.54, 95% CI 1.41- 4.56, p = 0.001). Through logistic regression, having Facebook addiction was discovered to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors 2.57 times as compared to the group without addiction. Other factors associated with predicting abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors were BMI (ORadj 1.07) and constantly comparing their own photos to photos of their friends (ORadj 5.75). No association were found with age and
frequency of changing their profile picture.
Conclusion : The present study found that abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors among female high school students were associated with Facebook addiction, BMI and constantly comparing their own photos to photos of friends. Therefore, preventive interventions should be implemented to diminish the
impact of social networks sites usage which may increase the risk of eating disorders.
Method : This cross-sectional descriptive study was obtained data from 400 female high school students aged 15-18 years from two schools in Pathumthani. The research instruments consisted of the self-administered questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, Facebook usage, the Thai version of Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (Thai-BFAS) and the Thai version of Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The data was analyzed by using percentage, mean, chi-square, t-test and multiple logistic regression.
Results : Four hundred students were recruited and the mean age was 16.8 years old (standard deviation 0.99). Most of the subjects had normal body mass index (mean 21.04 ± SD 4.33). The results showed that 111 students (28.1%) were addicted to Facebook (Thai-BFAS ≥12) and 56 students (14.2%) had scores above the cut-off (≥12) for abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors on the EAT-26. Statistically significant association was found between Facebook addiction and abnormal eating attitudes (Odd ratio 2.54, 95% CI 1.41- 4.56, p = 0.001). Through logistic regression, having Facebook addiction was discovered to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors 2.57 times as compared to the group without addiction. Other factors associated with predicting abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors were BMI (ORadj 1.07) and constantly comparing their own photos to photos of their friends (ORadj 5.75). No association were found with age and
frequency of changing their profile picture.
Conclusion : The present study found that abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors among female high school students were associated with Facebook addiction, BMI and constantly comparing their own photos to photos of friends. Therefore, preventive interventions should be implemented to diminish the
impact of social networks sites usage which may increase the risk of eating disorders.
Article Details
How to Cite
Chittiwan, S., & Sukanich, P. (2017). Relationship between Facebook Addiction and Abnormal Eating Attitudes and Behaviors among Female Adolescents in Patumthani Province, Thailand. Journal of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, 62(2), 117–128. Retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JPAT/article/view/92328
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Original Articles
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