Introduction

Internet addiction (IA) is a form of digital addiction defined as a pattern of internet use that causes functional impairment and negative psychological states over a two-month period. IA has adverse impacts on individuals’ lifestyles, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood [1]. Specifically, those with IA tend to exhibit poorer lifestyle habits compared to normally functioning individuals in society [2]. According to global statistics from 2018, over 40% of the world’s population had internet access, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of in-person communication channels, internet usage and Smartphone adoption trends further increased across societies [3]. This occurred despite mounting risks of IA even as internet access grew increasingly important for educating students during the pandemic. In 2020, there were approximately 4.8 billion active internet users worldwide, accountings for 62% of the global population. IA rates in the United States in 2021 were 8.1% among 18-22year olds. Prevalence of IA across Southeast Asian countries ranged from 12.6% to 67.5% [4]. The prevalence of internet usage one year after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic among elementary and middle school students in Nepal [5], and Taiwan [6] was 21.5%, 22.8%, and 24.4%, respectively. In Iran, IA in 2022 was 31.5% [7], and IA disorders among students was 25.5% [8]. In another Iranian study, the overall prevalence of severe IA was 2.4%, which in boys was 2.9% and in girls 2%, and by age groups in adolescents was 2.5% and in youth 2.3% [9]. Adolescents are more susceptible to developing IA compared to other age groups. These statistics highlight the importance of recognizing IA as a significant health issue that demands attention among adolescents. Unregulated internet usage can increase the risk of IA among adolescents when compared to other age groups [2, 10]. The results of various studies also indicate that IA can have detrimental psychological and behavioral effects on adolescents. Some investigations have linked IA to unhealthy eating behaviors among youth such as skipping meals, low appetite, snacking between meals, inadequate nutrition, and poor diet quality [3, 11]. The prevalence of anxiety disorders has also been higher among students meeting the criteria for severe IA [3]; levels of depression and suicidal ideation were significantly greater in internet-addicted high school students in South Korea [3, 11]. IA has further reduced their levels of physical activity, and disrupted social relationships [12]. It also correlates with psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, and ineffective stress coping mechanisms. Sleep deprivation, and fatigue are common among IA [2]. Furthermore, IA is linked to other addictive behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive coffee intake in young people [2, 3].

With the surge in internet adoption throughout society after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, these trends have significant implications for students’ lifestyles, ultimately impacting the health of the younger population [10]. However, there is still a lack of studies in Iran that focus on IA and lifestyle among adolescents following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the association between IA, lifestyle-related factors, and high-risk behaviors has not been clarified. Therefore, considering the recent increase in internet usage among adolescents, the aimed of this study was to examine the relationships between IA and lifestyle factors among high school students in Kurdistan province.

Materials and methods

Study design and population

This cross-sectional study utilized a descriptive-analytical design on high school students in Sanandaj in 2023, the capital city of Kurdistan Province in western Iran, which has a population of approximately 450,000 people. The primary aim was to examine the prevalence of IA and its relationship to lifestyle factors among high schools. Therefore, based on a previous study (p = 0.33) [13] and using a 95% confidence level, 80% power, and 5% accuracy, the sample size was calculated to be 340 using the following formula, which after applying a 10% attrition rate, the overall estimated sample was 408.

Results

A total of 407 students from Sanandaj city, Kurdistan province participated in the study. Female high school students comprised 55% (222 individuals) of participants, and 60% (247 individuals) were in age group of 16–19 years. 39% (161 individuals) were first grade high school students. Most participants (56%) lived in families with four or fewer family members. Their fathers and mothers had primary& intermediate (46% and 54% respectively) levels of education. Fathers were mostly self-employed (43%) while mothers were primarily homemakers (92%) (Table 1).

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Table 1. Current status of Internet addiction based on demographic characteristics of students.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308333.t001

Overall, as shown in Table 1, 25% (103 individuals) of students were exposed to IA. This was higher among female high school students (26%), those aged 16 and younger (28%), second grade high school students (28%), humanities students (27%), families where fathers and mothers had primary/intermediate education levels (29–27%), and students with unemployed fathers (36%) or employed mothers (30%). However, none of these percentages differed significantly statistically (p>0.05) (Table 1).

Based on Table 2, the following results can be extracted: The overall score of the health-promoting lifestyle was 120.3±26.0, with the highest score observed among individuals who were not exposed to IA, scoring 126.0±24.2, showing a statistically significant difference compared to those were exposed to IA. Furthermore, individuals who did not participate in miscellaneous classes had the highest statistically significant score of 124.7±25.3. Finally, the highest score of 123.3±26.9 was associated with individuals from families with a population of more than 4 members (p<0.05). Additionally, in Table 2, Spiritual Growth was higher among students over 16 years old and in families with less educated fathers. Health Responsibility and Nutrition were lower among students who attended remedial classes and had IA. Interpersonal Relations were higher among families with larger populations, lower-educated fathers, and individuals who were not exposed to IA. Physical Activity was also higher among males, families with larger populations, students who did not attend remedial classes, and those who were not exposed to internet addiction. Finally, Physical Activity was reported less among students who were exposed to internet addiction (p<0.05).

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Table 2. Current status of health-promoting lifestyle based on demographic characteristics of students.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308333.t002

Table 3 illustrates the relationship between internet addiction and Health-Promoting lifestyle among high school students using two models: a single-variable model and an adjusted model. In the single-variable model, a significant relationship was observed between internet addiction and Health-Promoting lifestyle, whereby those exposed to internet addiction had lower Health-Promoting Lifestyle scores (ß = -22.6, P < 0.001). This inverse association was also present for other components (P < 0.05). In the adjusted model, even after controlling for other variables, there remained a significant inverse association between internet addiction and Health-Promoting Lifestyle. Specifically, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle score was 22.2 units lower (95% CI: 27.5, -16.9, P < 0.001) among those exposed to internet addiction. Similar statistically significant reductions were observed for the Nutrition and Physical Activity components (P < 0.05).

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Table 3. Linear regression analysis to assess association between internet addiction and lifestyle among high school students.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308333.t003

Discussion

This research investigates the correlation between IA and Health-Promoting Lifestyle among high school students in Kurdistan Province. The study indicates that approximately 25% of high school students are vulnerable to IA. Similar patterns of IA prevalence have been observed in other regions, such as Isfahan, where 58.8% of high school students were susceptible to and addicted to the internet [18]. Among medical students, the figure was reported to be 68.8% [19]. The widespread availability and affordability of internet services, along with the increasing use of the internet for educational and recreational purposes, as well as the extensive adoption of smartphones, contribute to the rising prevalence of IA among young individuals [20]. Furthermore, this trend is influenced by increased individualism, decreased social acceptance, and cultural adaptability [3].

It is important to note that the data presented in this study predates the COVID-19 pandemic, and, likely, the prevalence of IA has significantly increased in light of the circumstances. Recent reports from Brazil indicate that over half of the students suffer from IA problems [21]. Similarly, studies conducted during the early stages of the pandemic in 2019 revealed high rates of IA among Tunisian adolescents (43.9%) [22], Mexican students (62.7%) [23], medical and dental students in Pakistan(40.9%) [11], and Ecuadorian students in 2022 (51.0%) [24]. It is worth mentioning that in the current study, less than 2% of participants exhibited complete addiction to the internet, while 25% were exposed to IA overall. However, it is important to consider that variations in these statistics may arise due to differences in socio-demographic contexts or assessment methods for IA.

In recent years, there have been significant changes in individuals’ lives, leading to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor nutrition, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, and stress [25]. This study, consistent with previous research [26, 27], establishes a substantial inverse association between IA and a healthy lifestyle. The findings indicate that individuals at risk of IA scored 22.2 points lower on the healthy lifestyle scale. Previous studies have demonstrated that IA is linked to reduced physical activity, negative effects on nutrition, and disruptions in social relationships. Additionally, it is associated with psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and diminished stress coping mechanisms [28–30]. Some studies reported that IA is correlated with sleep deprivation, symptoms of fatigue (both physical and mental), and frequent consumption of fast food [31, 32]. Excessive internet use appears to be an unhealthy lifestyle choice for individuals addicted to the internet. Researches have also shown a correlation between IA and other addictive behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive coffee consumption among young people [2, 33]. Therefore, IA can have far-reaching negative effects on individuals’ lifestyles and well-being.

While studies have documented a rising trend of low physical activity among Iranian and global adolescents [12]. IA has further reduced their levels of physical activity [2, 30, 34]. Similar to the present study, research conducted in Malaysia found a strong connection between IA and sedentary behavior (defined as more than three hours of sitting per day) among adolescents [2]. Internet-addicted adolescents often spend extended periods sitting in front of a screen. Internet addiction may lead to decreased physical activity and indirectly contribute to obesity an studies have reported higher body mass index values in individuals with problematic internet use compared to those with normal internet use [2, 35]. Moreover, research indicates that individuals spend their leisure time using the internet and engaging in sedentary behaviors, displaying little inclination for physical activity. For many university students, low-intensity activities such as slow walking have become their primary form of physical activity [36, 37].

Although studies have highlighted inadequate nutrition trends, low nutritional literacy, and poor nutrition among Iranian students [38, 39], the current study also reveals a significant inverse relationship between internet addiction and nutrition scores. A study among high school students demonstrated that high-risk internet users exhibited inappropriate dietary behavior and poor dietary quality. These individuals consumed smaller meals, had reduced appetite, skipped meals, and snacked more frequently [11, 40]. Bakery products and high-calorie foods were popular snack choices among participants, and a significant association was found between meat and fried food consumption and IA [11]. The study also found that unhealthy dietary behaviors such as insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, excessive consumption of carbonated beverages, and frequent fast-food consumption were positively associated with IA among adolescents. These findings align with a study, which reported a high prevalence of meal skipping among individuals addicted to the internet [40]. Conversely, healthy dietary behaviors such as regular breakfast consumption and adequate intake of fruits and vegetables have been shown to be beneficial for emotional regulation [41] and reducing negative emotions in adolescents [2, 42]. According to a systematic review [43], adolescents who exhibit healthy dietary behaviors or consume high-quality diets experience lower levels of depression and better psychological well-being.

This study investigates the association between IA and various dimensions of a health-promoting lifestyle. The results of the single-variable regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between IA and different dimensions of a health-promoting lifestyle. These findings are consistent with previous research findings. For instance, a similar study found that IA has a detrimental impact on spiritual growth [44], and religiosity serves as a protective factor against IA [45]. Moreover, individuals who excessively use the Internet or lack self-control over their Internet usage tend to exhibit lower health responsibilities [46]. It has also been observed that adolescents who use the Internet safely demonstrate better social skills compared to those who do not use it safely [47]. Furthermore, a study has indicated that individuals with IA experience significantly poorer stress management compared to non-addicted individuals [48]. Therefore, IA significantly influences a health-promoting lifestyle.

Conclusion

This study examined the association between IA and lifestyle among high school students in the west of Iran. The findings revealed that around 25% of the participants were exposed to IA. Students weren’t exposed to IA demonstrated significantly higher scores in overall healthy lifestyle. Moreover, significant differences were observed in the areas of spiritual growth, health responsibility, and nutrition between the two groups. Regression analyses confirmed a negative correlation between exposed to IA and lifestyle, even after accounting for other variables. Specifically, individuals exposed to IA exhibited declines in nutrition and physical activity scores. IA was found to be significantly linked to unhealthy dietary habits, sedentary behavior, and a lower overall healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it hindered stress management and spiritual well-being. This study highlights the importance of collaborative awareness programs involving educational institutions, families, and communities to address the risks of addiction and promote healthy lifestyles among young individuals. While providing valuable insights, further longitudinal research is needed to establish causal relationships definitively.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Sara Arianejad and Farhang Zandi for their valuable insights and constructive feedback on this manuscript. Their thoughtful comments greatly contributed to improving the quality of our research.