Relationship Among Internet Use, eHealth Literacy, Internet Addiction, and Physical Activity Among Adolescents:...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The internet is integral to daily life but poses risks like internet addiction.
• Adolescents in Hong Kong face growing concerns regarding internet addiction and low physical activity.
• Understanding the interplay between internet use, eHealth literacy, and physical activity is crucial for youth well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of internet use, eHealth literacy, and internet addiction on physical activity among adolescents in Hong Kong.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional study involving 117 secondary school students (aged 12-18) in Hong Kong.
• Data collected via eHealth Literacy Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Chen Internet Addiction Scale.
• Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation and mediation analyses to examine variable relationships.

Main Results:

• Internet use positively correlated with internet addiction (r=0.33) and negatively with physical activity (r=-0.21).
• Internet addiction negatively correlated with physical activity (r=-0.26).
• Both internet use and eHealth literacy directly affected internet addiction; internet addiction directly affected physical activity. eHealth literacy did not significantly affect physical activity or mediate the internet use-physical activity relationship.

Conclusions:

• eHealth literacy is important for mitigating internet addiction among adolescents.
• Further research is needed to explore mediators between eHealth literacy and physical activity.
• Promoting eHealth literacy can help prevent internet addiction and inform strategies for parents and educators.