A Cross-Sectional Study of Social Media-Usage and Lifestyle Behaviors Among Adolescents in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Background: The rise of social media as an integral part of adolescents’ daily life has raised concerns about its health effects. Excessive social-media use has been linked to a number of lifestyle behaviors, namely increased fast-food consumption, reduced physical activity levels, and disrupted sleep patterns. While research in this area of study has been conducted, there is limited research on the association between social-media usage duration and these lifestyle behaviors among adolescents in Saudi Arabia specifically. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between social-media usage duration and adolescents’ fast-food consumption, physical activity, and sleep patterns in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study targeted adolescents aged 12–18 years from over 20 private and public intermediate and high schools in Makkah from January to March 2025. It examined the association between social-media usage and lifestyle factors, including fast-food consumption, physical activity, and sleep patterns. Data was collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, duration of social-media use, and related lifestyle behaviors.

Results: Data from 278 adolescents were analyzed. Using chi square (χ²) test, the study identified significant relationships between social-media usage duration, fast-food consumption, physical activity, and sleep patterns. Increased social-media use was significantly associated with lower frequency of exercise (p = 0.023), difficulty sleeping (p = 0.015), and young people feeling less energetic in the morning (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The findings of this study establish a clear link between the effects of social-media usage duration on adolescent health behaviors in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, which are factors that collectively raise the risk for obesity and other health issues, highlighting the need for interventions to promote positive digital habits and diminish potential harms.