There is a correlation.
A recent study highlights that excessive time spent on social media can significantly heighten the risk of eating disorders among children and adolescents. Researchers found that each additional hour spent on social media or screen time increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of eating disorders two years later, according to findings published in the journal Eating and Weight Disorders.
The symptoms associated with eating disorders include concerns about weight gain, linking self-worth to body image, binge eating, and unhealthy behaviors like excessive exercise, calorie restriction, purging, and the use of diet pills or laxatives. Dr. Jason Nagata, a senior author of the study and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), explained that social media often promotes unrealistic body standards and constant comparisons to others, which can lead to body dissatisfaction, lower self-esteem, and unhealthy weight control practices.
The study, which examined data from nearly 12,000 children aged 9 to 14 collected between 2016 and 2020, found that both general and problematic social media use are linked to an increased risk of eating disorders. The researchers suggest that problematic use of social media, which exacerbates the risk, should be addressed.
Dr. Nagata advises that adolescents should limit their exposure to social media that fosters unhealthy eating behaviors and body image comparisons. He also emphasized the crucial role of parents in managing screen time by creating family media use plans and discussing the potential risks associated with excessive social media use and disordered eating.
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