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Social media feeding ‘shadow pandemic’ of disordered eating in teens, 51社区黑料study finds
Social media use and exposure to influencers is driving an increase of disordered eating among B.C. teens, warns a recently published study from 51社区黑料.
A recent study found one in four teens in British Columbia reported disordered eating or significant anxiety about eating and body image; rates were even higher among transgender and sexual minority teens. These overall risks were associated with social media use and exposure to influencer-driven misinformation, researchers say.
Key findings:
- 23% of youth report disordered eating behaviors.
- Higher prevalence among marginalized groups: up to 40% for transgender youth.
- Strong association between social media use and disordered eating.
- Just one to two hours of social media use per day increased odds of disordered eating for cis-sexual minority girls and transgender and gender-expansive youth.
- Positive childhood experiences act as a protective factor.
鈥淪ocial media can amplify existing insecurities and intensify image-based comparisons for all teens, and transgender and gender-expansive youth in particular might use caloric restrictions as a way to avoid developing sexual characteristics,鈥� says Hasina Samji, health sciences professor, and senior author of the study.
鈥淲ithout counterbalancing voices in these spaces, harmful messages about body image and eating habits can spread unchecked and perhaps help fuel this shadow pandemic of disordered eating that some physicians in B.C. are noticing.鈥�
The , published in The Journal of Adolescent Health, used 2022鈥�2024 data from an annual youth well-being survey conducted in B.C schools, primarily Grade 11 students.
The survey found disordered eating was highest among girls identifying as lesbian, bisexual, or queer (43 per cent) and transgender and gender-expansive youth (40 per cent). More than 32 per cent of cis-hetero girls and nine per cent of cis-hetero boys also reported disordered eating.
Cis-sexual minority girls and transgender and gender-expansive youth had increased odds of exhibiting disordered eating with only one to two hours of social media use per day.
鈥淭he challenges and pressures of parenting are immense, but not every child is developmentally ready for access to social media at age 13, 14, 15, or even 16,鈥� says Samji, a senior scientist in Population Mental Wellbeing at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.
鈥淚t depends on each teen鈥檚 level of digital literacy, and how well they regulate when they're having challenges with friends as they use social media together, or phones to connect with each other,鈥� she adds.
The study found positive childhood experiences 鈥� like strong family bonds, supportive adults, and peer and community belonging 鈥� buffered the risk of disordered eating, as did reduced time on social media.
Not a problem parents or teens can solve alone
Managing teens鈥� access to and time on social media platforms "requires co-ordinated action from schools and public health authorities, as well as holding tech companies accountable for their algorithms," says Andr茅s Delgado-Ron, public health researcher and lead author of the study.
While Australia has opted for an outright ban on social media for teens under 16, Samji suggests 鈥渨e鈥檇 be better off working alongside youth to co-develop healthy approaches to screentime and social media usage, which they will ultimately eventually be exposed to anyway.鈥�
She says tailored interventions could address the specific needs of those at greater risk while preserving the benefits and social connection that teens may get from social media platforms.
The study calls for more digital literacy education, around intentional social media use, more community spaces for in-person connections among youth, and public health guidelines and school policies to reduce reliance on social media for essential communication.
51社区黑料expert available
HASINA SAMJI, associate professor, health sciences, senior scientist, Population Mental Wellbeing in the Prevention and Health Promotion, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control
hsamji@sfu.ca
Contact
ROBYN STUBBS,鈥�51社区黑料Communications & Marketing鈥赌�&苍产蝉辫;
604.376.0971 |鈥�robyn_stubbs@sfu.ca
51社区黑料鈥赌�&苍产蝉辫;
鈥瘄鈥�赌�&苍产蝉辫;
778.782.3210
ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY鈥�
51社区黑料is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, 51社区黑料has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, 51社区黑料fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擝urnaby,鈥疭urrey鈥痑nd Vancouver鈥�51社区黑料has ten faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni鈥痳esiding鈥痠n 145+ countries.