Genç Yetişkinlerde Sosyal Medya Bağımlılığının Obezite Üzerine Etkisi

Asra Babayiğit; Gamze Naz Küçükaslan; Gülbahar İzcikılıç; Esma Büşra Bağran; Baran Aktaş

doi:10.35365/eass.26.1.08

Authors

Asra Babayiğit Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2102-3175
Gamze Naz Küçükaslan Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1848-5024
Gülbahar İzcikılıç Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0686-8132
Esma Büşra Bağran Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1077-0043
Baran Aktaş University of Derby https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6363-9864

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35365/eass.26.1.08

Keywords:

Social media addiction, Obesity, Screen Time, Emotional eating

Abstract

This narrative review aims to examine the relationship between social media addiction and obesity in young adults aged 18–30, within the framework of behavioral, psychosocial, and biological mechanisms. The literature search was conducted in March 2025 using the National Thesis Center of Turkey (YÖK) and Google Scholar databases. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 that included young adult samples were considered. Search terms—young adults, social media addiction, obesity, screen time, emotional eating, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep—were combined using appropriate logical relationships. Studies including participants aged 18–30 with full text available were included, while adolescent samples were excluded, except for limited discussion to illustrate mechanisms. A total of 412 records were screened, and after title–abstract review, 67 full-text articles were assessed, of which 29 studies were included in the synthesis. The findings indicate that increased screen time is associated with reduced physical activity, impaired sleep, and heightened emotional eating behaviors. The evidence is primarily correlational, and causal inferences are limited. The results suggest a potential protective role for digital awareness programs and healthy lifestyle interventions. Current literature indicates that increased social media use is associated with reduced physical activity, poorer sleep quality, and higher energy intake. Based on these findings, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting digital literacy programs, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits, and developing interventions for effective online time management.

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