Eating Disorders and Social Media Usage
A recent 2021 study, researching social media use and body image disorders found “an association between the
frequency of comparing one’s own physical appearance to that of people followed on social media and body
dissatisfaction and drive for thinness.” (ncbi) The study went on to conclude that “the widespread use of social media in
teenagers and young adults could increase body dissatisfaction as well as their drive for thinness, therefore rendering
them more vulnerable to eating disorders.” (ncbi) In this sense, the relationship between social media, body images, and
eating disorders is a causation relationship. These findings are not news to researchers as a study published in 2004 (
the same year Mark Zuckerburg launched Facebook concluded that “the media played a significant role in the
development of eating and food-related disorders.” (nyctherapy) With the rapid rise of social media uses among children,
less than a decade since Facebook was launched, the correlation between social media use and eating disorders has
continued to increase. The first step to overcoming this phenomenon is understanding the relationship between eating
disorders and social media usage, and we at Respark are here to help.
The Relationship Between Social Media Usage and Eating Disorders
The Therapy Group of NYC wrote a helpful article analyzing the relationship between social media and eating
disorders. The article notes that “The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) calls eating disorders a ‘very complex’
condition,’ citing experts’ beliefs that food-related disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder (BED)
are caused by ‘people attempting to cope with overwhelming feelings and painful emotions by controlling
food.’”(nyctherapy) In this sense, eating disorders may emerge as a result of a multitude of influences. One possible
influence could be that of cultural pressure influences:
“Cultural pressures: Image-driven social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok, and
Snapchat subject followers to a virtually endless stream of photos, videos, and messaging demonstrating supposed (yet
often unrealistic) ideals of beauty, body shape, weight, diet, and weight loss. In most cases, people or companies who post
this content associate these outcomes with happiness, popularity, or success.” (nyctherapy)
In this sense, the relationship between social media and eating disorders does in fact exist. Social media is based on
appearances, and a lot of influencers heavily edit their photos to meet the westernized standard of beauty. Unfortunately,
a photo of an Instagram Influencer typically does not reflect reality, but most social media users don’t know this. It’s very
simple for an influencer to post a fabricated version of reality- especially when it comes to their physical appearance. The
unrealistic body standards set by these unrealistic photos are impossible to achieve. Individuals who are constantly
exposed to these photos through social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat are likely to compare
themselves to the posts they see. This can lead to an unhealthy relationship with one’s body, and in turn with the food
they consume that fuels their body.
How to Protect Yourself
If you want to continue using social media and want some tips on how to overcome the harmful standards put
forth by apps such as Instagram, we have some tips for you. In the article, Greta Gliessner, licensed clinical social worker
and founder of Eating Disorder Recovery Specialists, “suggests using social networks for empowerment by unplugging,
unfollowing, and unwinding.” (nyctherapy) Not all influencers on social media promote the harmful ideology that can lead
to the development of an eating disorder! If you come across someone on your page whose content leads you to think
negative things about your body, you have the power to unfollow them. Moreover, if you begin to feel overwhelmed at
images on social media take a step back from your phone and try to connect with your body in a more fulfilling way- such
as looking in the mirror and finding one thing that you appreciate about your body. If you struggle with this, maybe try
appreciating your body for its functionality- appreciate your layers of skin for the warmth and protection they give you
from the outside world. Another way to combat the adverse effects of social media is to make your page a realistic
portrayal of yourself and those around you! Post photos of your real, unfiltered self. There is beauty in stretch marks, body
fat, and every other part of the body that society tells us is an imperfection- don’t be afraid to show it off on Instagram.
If you or a loved one is living with an eating disorder, Respark is here to help you. We offer therapy for eating disorders and body image issues. Our therapists are specialized professionals with additional training that will help you get on the road to recovery.