Research + News | Topic: Eating Disorders

TikTok Promotes Toxic Diet Culture Among Teens, Young Adults

Study authors from the University of Vermont found that the most viewed content on TikTok related to either food, nutrition, or weight largely perpetuates a toxic diet culture among young users. Read the article here.

TikTok Content May Be Promoting An Unhealthy Standard Of Living For Adolescents

Eating disorders among teenagers have been linked more recently to TikTok, as users post content daily consisting of what they eat in a day or the methods they use to lose weight, especially within the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the article here.

‘It Spreads Like A Disease’: How Pro-Eating-Disorder Videos Reach Teens On TikTok

Although the platform bans content promoting dangerous weight loss, hashtags such as #skinnycheck can still be found. Read the article here.

Instagram Promoted Pages Glorifying Eating Disorders To Teen Accounts

Proof that Instagram is not only failing to crack down on accounts promoting extreme dieting and eating disorders, but actively promotes those accounts, comes as Instagram and its parent company Facebook are facing intense scrutiny over the impact they have on young people’s mental health. Read the article here.

‘Anorexia Coach’: Sexual Predators Online Are Targeting Teens Wanting To Lose Weight. Platforms Are Looking The Other Way

There’s no shortage of people online looking to exploit and manipulate the vulnerable among us. One such group is anorexia coaches, or “anacoaches”. Read the article here.

Smartphone Use Associated With Unhealthy Eating And Overweight In Teens

Teens who used a smartphone for more than 2 hours per day were significantly more likely to eat more junk food and fewer fruits and vegetables than those spending less time on their phone. Read the article here.

TikTok Is “Like A Trap,’ Health Experts Say As Eating Disorders Among Teens Rise

Numerous studies have documented the negative effects of social media on people with eating disorders, but there are some aspects specific to TikTok that are concerning. Read the article here.

Study Shows Connection Between Social Media Use And Binge Eating In Pre-Teens

Learning to control your social media and TV habits early can help kids make healthier decisions as they get older. Read the article here.

‘It’s Not Worth It’: Young Women On How TikTok Has Warped Their Body Image

Seven women in their teens and 20s told NBC News that the content they viewed on TikTok had pushed them to fixate more on their diets and exercise regimens to a dangerous extent. Read the article here.

Teenagers Glued To Screens Skipping Meals, Sleep And Homework

Teenagers are skipping meals, sleep and doing their homework to spend more time online, according to a new report which asked young people themselves how their time on the internet affected their lives. Read the article here.