Hong Kong (dpa) - University students who spend hours a day online
are more likely to be overweight and to have health problems,
according to a Hong Kong survey Thursday.
The study by Hong Kong's Chinese University found that nearly 15
per cent of first year students spend more than four hours a day
online.
Among heavy internet users, 8.5 per cent are overweight compared
to less than 4 per cent of light internet users, the survey involving
interviews with more than 2,000 students found.
More than 10 per cent of heavy internet users admitted skipping
meals, compared to less than 2 per cent of light internet users. A
significantly higher percentage of heavy internet users admitted
oversleeping and missing classes.
The study is believed to be the first of its kind involving
university students. Previous studies have shown high levels of
internet dependency among primary and secondary school children in
the hi-tech city of 7 million.
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