Associations between Highly Visual Social Media Use and Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating– A Changing Landscape

Abstract

Background: Although the etiology of eating disorders (ED) and disorder eating (DE) is multifactorial, exposure to highly visual social media (HVSM) may be an important contributor to the onset or worsening of DE and ED symptoms. We aim to understand HVSM use, ED, and DE with a particular focus on gender differences, as well as details of engagement on “selfies” in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Methods: We conducted a literature search in Psycho ED, PubMed, MEDLINE of articles, including participants with DE/ED and users of HVSM, focused on AYA. Studies in which the study population was not well-defined and the methodology to assess ED/HVSM use was not robust were excluded. Results: We found a strong association between HVSM and ED and DE with existing gender differences. The literature also shows specific mechanisms of use of these platforms involving “selfie” preparation and posting. The literature is limited in that the research is mostly cross-sectional with no uniform methodology and not well-defined participant populations. Conclusions: The use of unregulated and profit-driven SM platforms can increase risk for ED. To use these HVSM platforms for positive influence, there is a need to have more transparency, and involvement of clinicians, researchers, and educators. Public Significance: Due to HVSM’s popularity among the adolescent and young adult population, it is important to identify its effects on the prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders, as well as recognize any gender differences in this relationship. Clinicians, parents and other adults working with youth should be aware of HVSM’s impact of DE/ED, as described by this review.