Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
#EatingDisorderRecovery: a qualitative content analysis of eating disorder recovery-related posts on Instagram
Aaron Qi Yang Goh1, Nicholas Yong Wai Lo1, Courtney Davis2
1Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Rd, Singapore, 308232, Singapore.
Purpose:
Limited research has evaluated the role of Social Networking Sites (SNS) in eating disorder (ED) recovery. While research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of pro-ED SNS content, less is known regarding SNS content documenting ED recovery. This study evaluates orientation towards help-seeking, ongoing ED warning signs and recovery themes on ED recovery SNS hashtags.
Methods:
600 Instagram posts were retrieved from two popular hashtags: #EDrecovery and #EatingDisorderRecovery. They were categorized into four thematic concerns: Food, Quotes, People or Others. Posts were analysed for behavioural and psychological signs of ED based on the Mental Health First Aid Eating Disorders Guidelines, and whether they encouraged seeking professional help. Thematic qualitative analysis to evaluate themes posted on recovery hashtags was conducted.
Results:
Of the 600 posts, 405 were used for analysis. The majority of posts were on Food (49.6%), Quotes (24.2%) and People (22.7%). Behavioural and psychological signs suggestive of EDs were present in 18.0% and 22.5% of images, respectively. Only 9.4% of posts encouraged seeking professional help. Important themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis included the recovery journey, increased awareness and stigma for EDs and the development of a supportive community.
Conclusions:
Despite identifying with ED recovery, posts had a high prevalence of ongoing ED behaviour and low prevalence of help-seeking. Thematic analysis emphasized the role of recovery as a journey and the role of stigma and community in recovery. These findings suggest that SNSs could potentially be leveraged as a platform to improve help-seeking and encourage recovery for users with eating disorders.
Level Of Evidence:
Level V, descriptive study.
Related Concept Videos
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Self-Schemas
Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...
Taste Buds and Receptors

