Analysis of Eating Disorders and Social Media Impact on health

Authors

  • Afza Lal Din University of Health Sciences Lahore Pakistan
  • Iqra Javed University of Health Sciences Lahore Pakistan.
  • Neha Devi Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro Pakistan.
  • Afsheen Mansoor Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad Pakistan.
  • Emaan Mansoor Riphah International University Islamabad Pakistan.
  • Mehek Khaliq Riphah International University Faisalabad Campus- Pakistan.
  • Hafiz Ali Raza University of Agriculture Faisalabad- Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.808

Keywords:

Body Image, Disordered Eating, Mental Health, Statistical Analysis, Eating Disorders, Social Media, Media Influence, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The proliferation of social media has significantly altered how individuals perceive body image and manage eating behaviors, leading to increased concern regarding the potential exacerbation of eating disorders. This study explores the intricate relationship between social media usage and the prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults.

Objective: This study aims to determine the impact of social media on the health outcomes of individuals, specifically focusing on the development and intensification of eating disorder symptoms. It seeks to understand the role social media plays in shaping body image perceptions and eating behaviors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the regions of Punjab and Sindh, involving 550 participants over the age of 18 who were regular users of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. Standardized questionnaires and interviews were utilized to collect data on social media usage habits, eating behaviors, body image perception, and mental health status. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v27.0, employing correlation and regression techniques to examine the associations between social media exposure and symptoms of eating disorders.

Results: The participant group consisted of 65% females and 35% males, with a mean age of 25.6 years. High engagement with social media was noted, with Instagram (80% usage, 2.5 hours/day) and YouTube (85% usage, 2.0 hours/day) being the most popular platforms. Significant correlations were found between social media addiction scores and various domains of eating disorders: restriction (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), binge eating (r = 0.30, p < 0.001), purging (r = 0.28, p < 0.001), and body dissatisfaction (r = 0.35, p < 0.001). Spearman’s correlations highlighted strong interrelationships among different eating disorder behaviors and social media addiction, indicating a pervasive influence across all examined aspects.

Conclusion: The study confirms a significant association between social media usage and the exacerbation of eating disorder symptoms. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy body image and eating behaviors on social media platforms.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Afza Lal Din, University of Health Sciences Lahore Pakistan

PKLI College of Nursing & Allied Health, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Iqra Javed, University of Health Sciences Lahore Pakistan.

PKLI College of Nursing & Allied Health, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Neha Devi, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro Pakistan.

Final year Student of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan.

Afsheen Mansoor, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Islamabad Pakistan.

Associate Professor, School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Emaan Mansoor, Riphah International University Islamabad Pakistan.

Islamic International Dental College, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Mehek Khaliq, Riphah International University Faisalabad Campus- Pakistan.

M. Phil Sociology, Department of Sociology, Riphah International University, Faisalabad Campus- Pakistan.

Hafiz Ali Raza, University of Agriculture Faisalabad- Pakistan.

Institute of Agricultural Extension, Education and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad- Pakistan.

References

Sidani JE, Shensa A, Hoffman B, Hanmer J, Primack BA. The Association Between Social Media Use and Eating Concerns Among US Young Adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016 Sep;116(9):1465-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2016.03.021. Epub 2016 May 5. PMID: 27161027; PMCID: PMC5003636.

Mushtaq T, Ashraf S, Hameed H, Irfan A, Shahid M, Kanwal R, et al. Prevalence of Eating Disorders and Their Association with Social Media Addiction Among Youths. Nutrients. 2023;15:4687. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214687

D'Arienzo MC, Boursier V, Griffiths MD. Addiction to Social Media and Attachment Styles: A Systematic Literature Review. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2019;17:1094-1118.

Imperatori C, Panno A, Carbone GA, Corazza O, Taddei I, Bernabei L, et al. The Association Between Social Media Addiction and Eating Disturbances Is Mediated by Muscle Dysmorphia-Related Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of Young Adults. Eat Weight Disord Stud Anorex Bulim Obes. 2022;27:1131-40.

He Z, Yang W. Impulsiveness as Potential Moderators of the Relation Between Social Media Dependence and Eating Disorders Risk. BMC Psychol. 2022;10:120.

Hou Y, Xiong D, Jiang T, Song L, Wang Q. Social Media Addiction: Its Impact, Mediation, and Intervention. Cyberpsychology. 2019;13:4.

Qutteina Y, Nasrallah C, Kimmel L, Khaled S. Relationship Between Social Media Use and Disordered Eating Behavior Among Female University Students in Qatar. J Health Soc Sci. 2019;4:59-72.

Kamal NN, Kamal NN. Determinants of Problematic Internet Use and Its Association with Disordered Eating Attitudes Among Minia University Students. Int J Prev Med. 2018;9:35.

Galmiche M, Déchelotte P, Lambert G, Tavolacci MP. Prevalence of Eating Disorders Over the 2000–2018 Period: A Systematic Literature Review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109:1402-13.

Bozkurt H, Özer S, Şahin S, Sönmezgöz E. Internet Use Patterns and Internet Addiction in Children and Adolescents with Obesity. Pediatr Obes. 2018;13:301-6.

Santarossa S, Woodruff SJ. #SocialMedia: Exploring the Relationship of Social Networking Sites on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Eating Disorders. Soc Media Soc. 2017;3:2056305117704407.

Wilksch SM, O'Shea A, Ho P, Byrne S, Wade TD. The Relationship Between Social Media Use and Disordered Eating in Young Adolescents. Int J Eat Disord. 2020;53:96-106.

Papini NM, Jung M, Cook A, Lopez NV, Ptomey LT, Herrmann SD, et al. Psychometric Properties of the 26-Item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26): An Application of Rasch Analysis. J Eat Disord. 2022;10:62.

Bozzola E, Spina G, Agostiniani R, Barni S, Russo R, Scarpato E, et al. The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19:9960.

Aparicio-Martínez P, Ruiz-Rubio M, Perea-Moreno AJ, Martínez-Jiménez MP, Pagliari C, Redel-Macías MD, et al. Gender Differences in the Addiction to Social Networks in the Southern Spanish University Students. Telemat Inform. 2020;46:101304.

Frieiro P, González-Rodríguez R, Domínguez-Alonso J. Self-Esteem and Socialisation in Social Networks as Determinants in Adolescents' Eating Disorders. Health Soc Care Commun. 2022;30:e4416-e4424.

Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O'Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(7):467-73. pmid:30178033

Ozpolat A. Social Media Use, Disordered Eating, and Body Image in Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pepperdine University. 2022.

Daud A, Masran NH, Othman H, Pairoh H. The Usage of Social Media in Weight Management Among Undergraduate Nursing Students. Journal of Islamic. 2023;8(59):446-457.

Lei X, Matovic D, Leung WY, Viju A, Wuthrich VM. The relationship between social media use and psychosocial outcomes in older adults: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics. 2024 Jan 30:1-33.

Downloads

Published

2024-04-21

How to Cite

Din, A. L., Javed, I., Devi, N., Mansoor, A., Mansoor, E., Khaliq, M., & Raza, H. A. (2024). Analysis of Eating Disorders and Social Media Impact on health. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 217–221. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.808