IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i19p12135-d924746.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China)

  • Jung-Sheng Chen

    (Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan)

  • Wan Ying Gan

    (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Wai Chuen Poon

    (Sunway University Business School, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia)

  • Serene En Hui Tung

    (Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia)

  • Ling Jun Lee

    (Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

  • Ping Xu

    (Department of Educational Psychology, School of Leisure Sports and Management, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510500, China)

  • I-Hua Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China)

  • Mark D. Griffiths

    (International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

  • Chung-Ying Lin

    (Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan)

Abstract

Insufficient physical activity is a common problem for university students because they may engage in sedentary lifestyle owing to excessive time spent on their smartphones and social media use. This may result in problematic internet use (PIU) and nomophobia (fear of not having a mobile phone). Moreover, prior evidence shows that weight-related self-stigma is an important factor contributing to low physical activity. Therefore, the present study examined the associations between PIU, nomophobia, and physical activity among university students across mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Participants (3135 mainland Chinese, 600 Taiwanese, and 622 Malaysian) completed the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The measurement invariance of the assessed questionnaires was supported across the three regions. The present findings analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that (i) greater nomophobia was associated with higher levels of physical activity, (ii) greater weight-related self-stigma was associated with higher levels of physical activity, and (iii) greater nomophobia was associated with greater weight-related self-stigma. Although the present findings suggest the possibility that experiencing some level of nomophobia or weight-related self-stigma appears to help improve physical activity, it is not recommended that these be encouraged, but reducing PIU should be targeted as a means to improve physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Liu & Jung-Sheng Chen & Wan Ying Gan & Wai Chuen Poon & Serene En Hui Tung & Ling Jun Lee & Ping Xu & I-Hua Chen & Mark D. Griffiths & Chung-Ying Lin, 2022. "Associations of Problematic Internet Use, Weight-Related Self-Stigma, and Nomophobia with Physical Activity: Findings from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12135-:d:924746
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12135/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12135/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nadia Bevan & Kerry S. O’Brien & Chung-Ying Lin & Janet D. Latner & Brian Vandenberg & Ruth Jeanes & Rebecca M. Puhl & I-Hua Chen & Simon Moss & Georgia Rush, 2021. "The Relationship between Weight Stigma, Physical Appearance Concerns, and Enjoyment and Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Necmi K. Avkiran & Christian M. Ringle (ed.), 2018. "Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling," International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Springer, number 978-3-319-71691-6, June.
    3. Mohsen Saffari & Jung-Sheng Chen & Hung-Ching Wu & Xavier C. C. Fung & Chih-Cheng Chang & Yen-Ling Chang & Ruckwongpatr Kamolthip & Marc N. Potenza & I-Ching Lin & Chung-Ying Lin, 2022. "Effects of Weight-Related Self-Stigma and Smartphone Addiction on Female University Students’ Physical Activity Levels," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-11, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Al-Baraa Abdulrahman Al-Mekhlafi & Ahmad Shahrul Nizam Isha & Nicholas Chileshe & Mohammed Abdulrab & Anwar Ameen Hezam Saeed & Ahmed Farouk Kineber, 2021. "Modelling the Relationship between the Nature of Work Factors and Driving Performance Mediating by Role of Fatigue," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Yi Mei & Xiaoyan Xu & Xiaodong Li, 2020. "Encouraging Patient Engagement Behaviors from the Perspective of Functional Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Adilson Carlos Yoshikuni & José Eduardo Ricciardi Favaretto & Alberto Luiz Albertin & Fernando de Souza Meirelles, 2022. "How can Strategy-as-Practice Enable Innovation under the Influence of Environmental Dynamism?," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 26(1), pages 200131-2001.
    4. Younès El Manzani & Mohamed Larbi Sidmou & Jean-Jack Cegarra, 2018. "Does IS0 9001 quality management system support product innovation? An analysis from the sociotechnical systems theory," Post-Print hal-03080217, HAL.
    5. Juan E. Núñez-Ríos & Jacqueline Y. Sánchez-García & Omar G. Rojas & Elias Olivares-Benitez, 2020. "Factors to Foster Organizational Sustainability in Tourism SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-21, October.
    6. Alessia Acampora & Michele Preziosi & Maria Claudia Lucchetti & Roberto Merli, 2022. "The Role of Hotel Environmental Communication and Guests’ Environmental Concern in Determining Guests’ Behavioral Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    7. Marcos Carchano & Inmaculada Carrasco & Angela González, 2025. "Examining environmental proactivity in the Spanish wine industry: The moderating role of size," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(1), pages 127-157, January.
    8. Sami S. Binyamin & Md. Rakibul Hoque, 2020. "Understanding the Drivers of Wearable Health Monitoring Technology: An Extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    9. Shami, Mohammad Reza & Rad, Vahid Bigdeli & Moinifar, Maryam, 2022. "The structural model of indicators for evaluating the quality of urban smart living," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    10. Chatterjee, Sheshadri & Chaudhuri, Ranjan & Vrontis, Demetris, 2022. "Managing knowledge in Indian Organizations: An empirical investigation to examine the moderating role of jugaad," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 26-39.
    11. Sarker, Moniruzzaman & Mohd-Any, Amrul Asraf & Kamarulzaman, Yusniza, 2021. "Validating a consumer-based service brand equity (CBSBE) model in the airline industry," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    12. Rabbia Jamal & Danish Ahmed Siddiqui, 2020. "The Effects of Workplace Incivility on Job Satisfaction: Mediating Role of Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation, Emotional Exhaustion," International Journal of Human Resource Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 10(2), pages 5681-5681, December.
    13. Cheah, Jun-Hwa & Lim, Xin-Jean & Ting, Hiram & Liu, Yide & Quach, Sara, 2022. "Are privacy concerns still relevant? Revisiting consumer behaviour in omnichannel retailing," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    14. Amer Saeed & Yun Jun & Saviour Ayertey Nubuor & Hewawasam Puwakpitiyage Rasika Priyankara & Mahabaduge Prasad Fernando Jayasuriya, 2018. "Institutional Pressures, Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Environmental and Economic Performance: A Two Theory View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, May.
    15. Mustofa, Rochman Hadi & Pramudita, Dias Aziz & Atmono, Dwi & Priyankara, Rasika & Asmawan, Mochammad Chairil & Rahmattullah, Muhammad & Mudrikah, Saringatun & Pamungkas, Leonny Noviyana Sakti, 2022. "Exploring educational students acceptance of using movies as economics learning media: PLS-SEM analysis," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    16. Arifa Tanveer & Shihong Zeng & Muhammad Irfan & Rui Peng, 2021. "Do Perceived Risk, Perception of Self-Efficacy, and Openness to Technology Matter for Solar PV Adoption? An Application of the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-24, August.
    17. Cheon Yu & Yun Seop Hwang, 2019. "Do the Social Responsibility Efforts of the Destination Affect the Loyalty of Tourists?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, April.
    18. José Alberto Martínez-González & Carmen D. Álvarez-Albelo, 2021. "Influence of Site Personalization and First Impression on Young Consumers’ Loyalty to Tourism Websites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    19. José Alberto Martínez-González & Eduardo Parra-López & Almudena Barrientos-Báez, 2021. "Young Consumers’ Intention to Participate in the Sharing Economy: An Integrated Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    20. Hengky Latan & Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour & Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, 2021. "To Blow or Not to Blow the Whistle: The Role of Rationalization in the Perceived Seriousness of Threats and Wrongdoing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 517-535, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12135-:d:924746. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.