Mayas Publications logo
Buy Books Buy journals

Social Media Usage and Its Effects on Eating Behavior, Lifestyle Practices, and Body Image among Adults

Back To Issues

Issue Abstract

The proliferation of social media platforms has reshaped individual behaviours, particularly in relation to dietary practices, lifestyle habits, and body image perception. This study investigates the influence of social media usage on eating habits, lifestyle modifications, and body image perception among adults aged 20–40 years. A cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS (Version 25). Statistical tools included chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Findings reveal that higher social media usage is significantly associated with unhealthy eating behaviours, increased reliance on influencer-driven diets, negative body image perception, and reduced sleep duration. Participants with negative body image were more likely to engage in dietary experimentation and experience dissatisfaction linked to social media validation metrics. The study highlights the multidimensional impact of social media on behavioural and psychological outcomes and underscores the need for awareness and interventions to mitigate adverse effects.

Author Information
Dr Belinda Lopez Associate Professor, Dept. of Home Science, Smt. VHD Central Institute of Home Science (DCE), Maharani Cluster University, Bangalore.
Issue No
8
Volume No
4
Issue Publish Date
04 Aug 2024
Issue Pages
29-43

Issue References

  1. Ahadzadeh, A. S., Pahlevan Sharif, S., & Ong, F. S. (2017). Self-schema and self-discrepancy mediate the influence of Instagram usage on body image satisfaction among youth. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.011

  2. Boyle, S. C., LaBrie, J. W., Froidevaux, N. M., & Witkovic, Y. D. (2016). Different digital paths to the keg? How exposure to peers’ alcohol-related social media content influences drinking among first-year college students. Addictive Behaviors, 57, 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.01.011

  3. Coates, A. E., Hardman, C. A., Halford, J. C. G., Christiansen, P., & Boyland, E. J. (2019). Social media influencer marketing and children’s food intake: A randomized trial. Pediatrics, 143(4), e20182554. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2554

  4. Fardouly, J., & Holland, E. (2018). Social media is not real life: The effect of attaching disclaimer-type labels to idealized social media images on women’s body image and mood. New Media & Society, 20(11), 4311–4328. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818771083

  5. Filippone, L., Shankland, R., Hallez, Q., & Van Gordon, W. (2022). The relationships between social media exposure, food craving, cognitive impulsivity and cognitive restraint. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10, 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-022-00698-4

  6. Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.008

  7. Jiotsa, B., Naccache, B., Duval, M., Rocher, B., & Grall-Bronnec, M. (2021). Social media use and body image disorders: Association between frequency of comparing one’s own physical appearance to that of people being followed on social media and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2880. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062880

  8. Meier, E. P., & Gray, J. (2014). Facebook photo activity associated with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(4), 199–206. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0305

  9. O’Brien, E. K., Hoffman, L., Navarro, M. A., & Ganz, O. (2020). Social media use by leading US e-cigarette, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, cigar and hookah brands. Tobacco Control, 29(e1), e87–e97. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055406

  10. Perez, E., Donovan, E. K., Soto, P., Sabet, S. M., Ravyts, S. G., & Dzierzewski, J. M. (2021). Trading likes for sleepless nights: A lifespan investigation of social media and sleep. Sleep Health, 7(4), 474–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2021.03.004

  11. Qutteina, Y., Hallez, L., Mennes, N., De Backer, C., & Smits, T. (2019). What do adolescents see on social media? A diary study of food marketing images on social media. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02637

  12. Robinson, E., Otten, R., & Hermans, R. C. J. (2016). Descriptive peer norms, self-control, and dietary behaviour in young adults. Psychology & Health, 31(1), 9–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2015.1067705

  13. Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Hoffman, B., Hanmer, J., & Primack, B. A. (2016). The association between social media use and eating concerns among US young adults. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(9), 1465–1472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.03.021

  14. Stamatiou, R., Katsafadou, V., & Mouratidou, T. (2022). The impact of social media on dietary choices, emotions around food consumption and body image in adolescents and young adults. Public Health and Toxicology, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.18332/pht/149841

  15. Vall-Roqué, H., Andrés, A., & Saldaña, C. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on social network use and body image disturbances. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(10), 1767–1775. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23590

  16. Whiting, A., & Williams, D. (2013). Why people use social media: A uses and gratifications approach. Qualitative Market Research, 16(4), 362–369. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-06-2013-0041

  17. Wilcox, K., & Stephen, A. T. (2013). Are close friends the enemy? Online social networks, self-esteem, and self-control. Journal of Consumer Research, 40(1), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1086/668794

 

Back To Issues