Social Media and Diet/Fitness Culture

Many external factors can contribute to the development of an eating disorder. We know that body image dissatisfaction as well as the overvaluing of one’s body image in relation to their self-worth increases the likelihood of someone developing an eating disorder (NEDC, n.d. a). Moreover, while editing and airbrushing has always been present in the media, social media has created a new culture of distorting the reality of one’s lifestyle and their body image with the use of filters and editing software (NEDC, n.d. a).

A greater amount of time spent on social media is linked to the development of an ED through increased exposure to the thin ideal. Individuals may begin to negatively assess their bodies after comparing themselves to others online and/or may seek validation of positive self-assessment through likes, comments, and posts (Padín et al., 2021). Increased social media use is also associated with weight dissatisfaction, dieting, and purging behaviours (Padín et al., 2021).

“Thin ideal” refers to the narrow standard of beauty that media and general societal messages tell us is the correct and best/ most desirable way to look.

Often, people who experience body image dissatisfaction will turn to extreme methods to change their body shape, weight, and size through excessive exercise or dieting (NEDC, 2021). Although there have always been methods of promoting these harmful practices in the media, it has become more accessible with the increased use of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.

Numerous studies have found engaging with “thinspiration” or “fitspiration” content has adverse consequences on body image. Despite these tags implying health promotion, “thinspo” and “fitspo” tags often portray harmful messages encouraging disordered eating and weight loss (Sanzari et al., 2023). Health, wellness, and fitness tags on social media content often perpetuate dangerous messages about unrealistic body ideals, extreme diets, and exercise regimens have become incredibly common and popular. Studies have found that individuals who consume content under such hashtags have the highest rates of disordered eating, poor self-esteem, and compulsive exercising (Raiter et al., 2023). This finding is incredibly concerning when coupled with the fact that youth and adolescent screen time has increased from 0.75 to 6.5 h/days since before the pandemic, and that 84% of adolescents report using social media to obtain health information (Raiter et al., 2023).

For more information on social media and cellphone addiction please see our infosheet Social Media and Cellphone Addiction – Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health

Recommendation

Educate students in critical media literacy, the potential harms of diet/fitness culture, and how to consume social media content safely.