Internet media use, physical activity participation, and health-related outcomes among Chinese adults: evidence from...

Using data from the 2023 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS2023), this study examined the cross-sectional association between internet media-use frequency and physical activity participation frequency among Chinese adults. It further assessed social-group heterogeneity and evaluated secondary associations with health-related outcomes.

This cross-sectional observational study included a complete-case analytical sample of 5,621 adults. Multivariable ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used as the primary descriptive model. Weighted OLS, ordered logit, binary logit and inverse-probability-weighted sensitivity analyses were used to assess robustness. Group heterogeneity was assessed using interaction models.

Internet media-use frequency was positively but modestly associated with physical activity participation frequency in the primary model (b = 0.084, 95% CI 0.049 to 0.119). The estimate remained similar after inverse-probability weighting (b = 0.094, 95% CI 0.058 to 0.130). Ordered-logit marginal effects indicated that a one-level increase in internet media use was associated with a 1.8-percentage-point lower probability of being in the lowest physical-activity category and a 1.1-percentage-point higher probability of being in the highest category. The association was stronger among low-income respondents. Additional lifestyle-overlap variables were statistically related to both internet use and physical activity, and internet use and physical activity each showed small positive associations with self-rated health, mental wellbeing and daily functioning.

Among Chinese adults, more frequent internet media use was associated with slightly more frequent physical activity participation, with the clearest subgroup difference observed by income. These findings support a bounded cross-sectional digital-lifestyle interpretation rather than a causal account of internet use, physical activity or health.