Signs of eating disorders in teenage females and males are important to recognize because the prevalence of eating disorders in teenagers has increased substantially over the past 20 years around the world. Recognizing the signs is an essential step in getting a diagnosis and treatment for teenage eating disorders.
Facts:
- According to the DSM, 1.2% of male teenagers between 11 and 19 and 5.7% of female teenagers struggle with eating disorders.
- Between the years 2000 and 2018, the prevalence of eating disorders doubled around the world from an average of 3.4% to 7.8%.
- Reviews indicate that from 1999 through 2022, the rates of eating disorders in teenagers reached an increase of 22.36% for the global population.
- In the United States, between 2018 and 2022, health visits for teenage eating disorders under the age of 17 doubled.
- Visits for all eating disorders for all teenage groups increased by 107.4% from 2018 to 2022 in the United States.
- Similar increases in teenage eating disorders have been noted across the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
A big part of the growth seen in teenage eating disorders treatment needs has to do with various types of social media platforms that are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers, particularly during the pandemic when teenagers were more likely to spend increased time on social media because of lockdown parameters.
Understanding Eating Disorders in Teenagers
The prevalence of eating disorders in teenagers directly because of social media is on the rise. This is particularly true of young girls. Increasing evidence shows a positive correlation between the development of eating disorders and extended social media exposure.
The Role of Social Media
So, what role does social media play? Five main social media platforms are at the center of this:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Tumblr
75% of female teenagers and 70% of male teenagers have at least one social media account. The most popular among them is Instagram, which is based almost exclusively on the sharing of photos, many of which have been idealized and edited.
Exposure to Idealized Images
The risk of developing an eating disorder can be effectively identified based on the amount of time individuals spend with photo-based platforms. When using any of these social media platforms, teenagers are more likely to be exposed to idealized images, images that trend and highlight the “need” for or promotion of things like:
- Beauty products
- Weight loss products
Moreover, certain algorithms across social media platforms are more likely to result in manipulated photos, but young adults and teenagers don’t necessarily know which photos have been manipulated or edited, which can lead to poor self-esteem and the development of eating disorders.
Influence of Influencers
Social media influencers are another significant culprit. When teenagers spend more time on social media platforms, they end up investing a significant amount of focus on the way they are themselves perceived online. Studies indicate that this means core psychological factors make teenagers more self-conscious about things like:
- Calorie intake
- Body shape
- Weight
- Exercise habits
In fact, 52% of female teenagers and 45% of male teenagers will skip meals or overexercise after exposure to social media influencers.
In effect, there is a higher susceptibility to eating disorder development among teenagers based on the type of social media platforms they use.
- For females, Snapchat and Tumblr accounts are more likely to lead to eating disorder behaviors and obsessive issues with body weight and shape.
- For males, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook are more likely to lead to the same.
Cyberbullying and Peer Pressure
The signs of eating disorders in teenage females and males are increased based on peer pressure and cyberbullying, too. The more time individuals spend on social media platforms, the higher the risk of developing eating disorder behaviors, and this is increased by the number of platforms to which teenagers subscribe.
Signs of Eating Disorders Triggered by Social Media
Signs of eating disorders triggered by social media include behavioral, psychological, and physical.
Behavioral Signs
Behavioral signs include:
- Obsessions with weight
- Consistently reducing fat intake
- Tracking calorie consumption
- Skipping meals
- Fasting or avoiding foods
- Regular self-weighing
- Fears around weight gain
- Compulsive exercise or meal avoidance
Note: These signs often take place immediately after social media activity.
Psychological Signs
Psychological signs include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Withdrawal from usual activities
- Avoiding social activities that involve food
- Distorted body image perception
- Frequent bathroom trips or showers after eating
- Distress or anger during mealtimes
Physical Signs
Physical signs include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Unstable weight gain/loss
- Persistent bouts of tiredness
- Disrupted menstrual cycles for females
- Diminished focus
- Sensitivity to temperatures, particularly feeling cold even when it is warm
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Treatment and Recovery
The best type of treatment is a personalized plan that involves eating disorder therapy, medical treatment where necessary, and support groups. Long-term recovery is aided by parents and caregivers playing an effective role.
Treatment Options
Treatment options for eating disorders include teenage-specific programs for eating disorders and social media connections. These can be inpatient or outpatient programs consisting of therapy, medical treatment, and support groups.
Role of Social Media in Recovery
Social media can also be used as part of recovery by sharing recovery stories and helping teenagers receive more education and information about positive body image.
Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers should do things like monitor social media usage. Having open discussions about healthy eating and healthy body image on a regular basis can be an important way to preemptively intervene.
The more educated parents are about the risks of teenage eating disorders, the better position they will be to recognize warning signs. If a teenager shows symptoms, it’s important to get help immediately and support them through their recovery.
Conclusion
Today, there is a dual impact of social media on teenage eating disorders. The more platforms a teenager uses, the worse the risk of teenage eating disorders. That said, a balanced approach to social media use, advocacy for continued education, and discussion of its effects can help families prevent these issues. If they exist, the best thing is the right type of personalized treatment for teenage eating disorders.