Impact of internet use on lifestyle in undergraduate medical students

Abstract

Objectives: Medical students overindulgence with the internet, therefore it is important assess the impact of internet use on lifestyle of undergraduate medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 (18-20 years) undergraduate medical students. Based on the Young’s Internet addiction test scoring, subjects were divided into addictive internet users (score ≥ 50) and non-addictive internet users (score < 50). The two groups were compared for environmental stressors and lifestyle factors such as sleep, dietary pattern, physical activity and hobbies. Results: The addictive internet user group had a statistically significant impairment of sleep (94.11% Vs 45.2%) and excessive daytime sleepiness(88.23% Vs 39.72%) and presence of environmental stressors (76.47% Vs 36.98% ) when compared to the non-addictive internet user group. Conclusions: This study identified addictive internet use as an important concern among medical students, on account of its negative impact on lifestyle factors and the role of environmental stressors in the predisposition to internet addiction.