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Social Media Consumption and Risk of Addiction Associated with Adolescent Disordered Eating Behaviour: An
María Peréz-Jiménez1, María Del Mar Uclés-Torrente1,2,3, Gema Esperanza Ruiz-Gamarra2,3,4
1Nursing, Pharmacology and Physiotherapy Department, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain.
Objectives:
To examine the association between social media (SM) use and content exposure with the risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) among adolescents.
Methods:
A descriptive observational study was conducted using a structured questionnaire incorporating validated scales. The instrument assessed quantitative and qualitative variables related to eating habits, SM usage, self-esteem, and body image. The sample comprised students aged 12-17 years from a school in Córdoba, Spain.
Results:
A total of 115 students participated in the study. Among them, 43.5% were identified as being at risk of developing EDs. Of this subgroup, 54.0% were female, with male gender appearing as a protective factor against ED risk. A significant association was found between increased hours of SM use and higher ED risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03-14.33).
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that low self-esteem and negative body image are key factors associated with increased ED risk, and that SM may act as an amplifying influence. Preventive interventions should focus on enhancing self-esteem and fostering critical and conscious engagement with SM among adolescents to mitigate the development of eating disorders.
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