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Strength of Association Between Smartphone and Social Media Screen Time with Dietary Behaviour and Physical Activity
Mo'ath F Bataineh1, Sameera Koodakkadavath1, Aleena Hassan1
1Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Background:
Smartphones and social media (SPSM) use has become an integral part of life around the globe, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study investigated the association and strength of association between SPSM screen time and dietary and physical activity behaviours among adults in the UAE.
Methods:
A cross-sectional household-based study was conducted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, between June 2024 and March 2025. A total of 5152 adults aged 18 years and above were selected through a multistage stratified random sampling method. Data were obtained from structured interviews that collected information about demographics, SPSM use time, dietary habits and physical activity levels. The statistical analyses conducted using SPSS software.
Results:
The mean SPSM usage time was 277.6 ± 165.6 and 234.6 ± 170.8 min per day for smartphone and social media, respectively. Social networking was the main purpose for smartphone (71.7%) and social media (74.8%) usage. Higher SPSM use was significantly associated with more frequent consumption of unhealthy foods, including sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, and energy drinks (p < 0.001). The associations between SPSM and dietary behaviour and physical activity were generally weak. Only social media usage time was significantly associated with physical activity (p = 0.012).
Conclusion:
SPSM use time is associated with dietary patterns and physical activity among adults in the UAE. Higher smartphone and social media screen time was associated with increased consumption of unhealthy foods and lower physical activity; however, the relationships were weak to moderate.
