Association of Social Networking Sites Use with Actual and Ideal Body Shapes, and Eating Behaviors in Healthy Young Japanese Women

Abstract

Recent reports have associated the use of social networking sites (SNS) with the drive for thinness in young women; however, its influence on their actual body shape and eating behaviors (EB) remains unclear. We aimed to examine the effect of SNS use on body mass index (BMI), body image (BI), and EB in young women. Participants included 196 healthy women (20–29 years) who answered questions about their SNS use, height, weight, BI and EB via a web-based survey. First, the correlation between time spent on SNS and each variable was determined. Participants were then divided into quartiles according to the duration of daily SNS use as long (≥3 h, n = 52) and short (<1 h, n = 54), and the data were then compared between the groups. Correlation analysis showed that the longer the duration of daily SNS use, the significantly lower the BMI, the use of nutrition labels, and the frequency of consumption of milk and dairy products. The long group had significantly lower BMI and ideal BI than the short group. The results suggest that spending more time on SNS in young women may be associated with thinner actual and ideal body shapes and poorer access to health information and healthy foods.

Eating Disorders in Youth with Chronic Health Conditions: Clinical Strategies for Early Recognition and Prevention

“…Unfortunately, there is ample evidence that exposure to social media content regarding nutrition and exercise is likely to worsen body image and increase the risk of eating disorders and/or disordered eating behaviors [151][152][153][154]. Adolescents with chronic health conditions are more likely than their peers to seek health information, including information on nutrition and exercise, on the Internet and social media [155,156].…”

Body Image, Nutrition, and Mental Health

“…Yumen et al [ 6 ] and Karam et al [ 7 ] examined the influence of social websites and social media use on body image and food intake. In a sample of young Japanese women, Yumen et al found that longer social networking site use was associated with lower body weight and with a thinner body shape ideal [ 6 ]. Karam et al researched the relationship between social media use and body image in Lebanese university students.…”