Does Does Social Media Addiction Increase Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Influence Functional Food Attitudes in Adults?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of social media addiction with Ultra Processed Food (UPF) consumption and attitude towards functional foods in adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data of 480 Turkish-speaking adults between the ages of 18 and 60, living in Türkiye, who agreed to participate in the study were evaluated. The data were collected through an online questionnaire including the Introductory Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale Adult Form, UPF Consumption Frequency and Functional Food Attitude Scale. Descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean and standard deviation), Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis were used in data analysis, and the significance level of statistical tests was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Social Media Addiction was found to be statistically significantly positively and weakly associated with daily UPF consumption amount (r:0.182, p<0.001) and the sub-dimensions of the Attitudes Towards Functional Foods Scale Benefit (r=0.145, p<0.001) and Trust (r=0.159, p<0.001). Conclusions: With the increase in social media addiction, the daily consumption of UPF has also increased. It has been found that with the increase in social media addiction, the acceptance level of functional foods and confidence in the health benefits of functional foods and related research has increased.