Social media usage linked to eating disorders in young people

girl with scales - People aged between 10-24 who use social media sites may potentially be at risk of developing image concerns, eating disorders and poor mental health, suggests a new scoping review by UCL researchers. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health , examined evidence from 50 studies in 17 countries and found that social media creates risks of social comparison and promotes the idea that it is vital to be thin or fit. Social media trends, access to pro-eating disorder content and social media platforms that focus on appearance, also compound the problem. Young females with a high BMI and existing body image concerns are at highest risk of being affected by the content they see online, the study found. The research was carried out by Dr Komal Bhatia, a Research Fellow at the UCL Institute for Global Health, and Alexandra Dane, who studied on the MSc Global Health and Development at UCL 2020-21. Lead author, Ms Dane (UCL Institute for Global Health), said: "Our findings show that social media usage is a plausible risk factor for the development of eating disorders. And, based on the scale of social media usage amongst young people, this issue is worthy of attention as an emerging global public health issue." Eating disorders are characterised by negative body image and an extreme preoccupation with weight and shape.