title: Impact of increasing social media use on sitting time and body mass index.
abstract: 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 8h 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.
authors: Physical Activity Research Group, School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Building 18, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Alley
authors: Department of Health Promotion, Caphri Research School, Maastricht University, POB 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Wellens
authors: Physical Activity Research Group, School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Building 18, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Schoeppe
authors: Department of Health Promotion, Caphri Research School, Maastricht University, POB 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands.
authors: Hein
authors: H
authors: de Vries
authors: Physical Activity Research Group, School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Building 18, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
authors: Amanda L
authors: AL
authors: Rebar
authors: Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors: Camille E
authors: CE
authors: Short
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health; Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors: Mitch J
authors: MJ
authors: Duncan
authors: Physical Activity Research Group, School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Building 18, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
authors: Corneel
authors: C
authors: Vandelanotte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D011793:Queensland; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D000077708:Sitting Position; D061108:Social Media