Increased risk of eating disorders in young adults active on social media, says study
Posted on: 14/May/2016 6:05:01 PM
A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that there is an increased risk of eating disorders and distorted body image in young adults who log on to social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The study was conducted by researchers at the university of Pittsburgh.
Speaking about this, the researchers said, Gender, specific age, race and income does not influence the association. We have long known that exposure to traditional forms of media, such as fashion magazines and television, is associated with the development of disordered eating and body image concerns, likely due to the positive portrayal of thin models and celebrities. Social media combines many of the visual aspects of traditional media with the opportunity for social media users to interact and propagate stereotypes that can lead to eating and body image concerns.
1765 US adults took part in the study. They were aged between 19 and 32 years of age in 2014. They answered questionnaires to determine social media use. These questionnaires asked about the 11 most popular social media platforms at the time - Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, Pinterest, Vine and LinkedIn. The results were cross referenced with the results of another questionnaire which was used to assess risk of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other clinical and mental health issues where people have a distorted body image and disordered eating.
The researchers said, These issues disproportionately affect adolescents and young adults. However, more general disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, and negative or altered body image likely affect a broader group of individuals. Participants who spent the most time on social media throughout the day had 2.2 times the risk of reporting eating and body image concerns, compared to their peers who spent less time on social media. Participants who reported most frequently checking social media throughout the week had 2.6 times the risk, compared with those who checked least frequently.
The analysis could not determine whether social media use was contributing to eating and body image concerns or vice versa - or both. It could be that young adults who use more social media are exposed to more images and messages that encourage development of disordered eating. People who have eating and body image concerns might then be turning to social media to connect with groups of people who also have these concerns. However, connecting with these groups for social support could inhibit recovery because of the desire to continue being a part of the shared identity such social media groups foster.
