AUTHOR=Saintila Jacksaint , Oblitas-Guerrero Susan M. , Larrain-Tavara Giovanna , Lizarraga-De-Maguiña Isabel G. , Bernal-Corrales Fátima del Carmen , López-López Elmer , Calizaya-Milla Yaquelin E. , Serpa-Barrientos Antonio , Ramos-Vera Cristian 

TITLE=Associations between social network addiction, anxiety symptoms, and risk of metabolic syndrome in Peruvian adolescents—a cross-sectional study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1261133

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1261133

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Background</title><p>The link between physical and mental health and screen time in adolescents has been the subject of scientific scrutiny in recent years. However, there are few studies that have evaluated the association between social network addiction (SNA) and metabolic risk in this population.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Objective</title><p>This study determined the association between SNA and anxiety symptoms with the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Methods</title><p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Peruvian adolescents aged 12 to 18 years, who completed a Social Network Addiction Questionnaire and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item scale (GAD-2), between September and November 2022. A total of 903 participants were included in the study using a non-probability convenience sample. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were also collected. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the association between SNA and anxiety symptoms with MetS in a cross-sectional analysis.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Results</title><p>Males were more likely to have MetS than females (OR = 1.133, <italic>p</italic> = 0.028). Participants who were 16 years of age or older and those with excess body weight were 2.166, <italic>p</italic> = 0.013 and 19.414, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001 times more likely to have MetS, respectively. Additionally, SNA (OR = 1.517, <italic>p</italic> = 0.016) and the presence of anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.596, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) were associated with MetS.</p></sec><sec id="sec5"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Our findings suggest associations between SNA, anxiety symptoms, and MetS among youth. However, more studies are needed to better understand this association and to deepen the possible clinical and public health implications.</p></sec>