Study participants were categorized into 4 groups according to their intensity of Internet use:
Health factors examined were:
Only male users were found at increased risk of overweight and female users at increased risk of insufficient sleep.
Non-Internet users (NIUs) and occasional users also were found at increased risk of higher depressive scores.
Back-pain complaints were found predominantly among male non-Internet users.
There was a U-shaped relationship between intensity of Internet use and poorer mental health of adolescents. Heavy Internet users were confirmed at increased risk for somatic health problems.
"Health Promotion" video: Benefits of exercise.
References:
A U-Shaped Association Between Intensity of Internet Use and Adolescent Health. PEDIATRICS Vol. 127 No. 2 February 2011, pp. e330-e335 (doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1235)
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