Short Communication

Is Social Media Promoting Female Eating Disorders Such as Anorexia Nervosa?

Amani Safwat E*

College of Education and Arts, Lusail University, Doha, Qatar

Submission:April 27, 2024; Published:May 24, 2024

*Corresponding author:Amani Safwat ElBarazi, College of Education and Arts, Lusail University, Lusail, Doha, Qatar, Email: aelbarazi@lu.edu.qa

How to cite this article: Amani Safwat E. Is Social Media Promoting Female Eating Disorders Such as Anorexia Nervosa?. Glob J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2024; 13(4): 555869. DOI:10.19080/GJIDD.2024.13.555869

Abstract

This study looks at “how social media promotes eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa in females.” It also examines the rise of pro-anorexia social media profiles. The study also looks at how manipulated photos and social media filters affect women’s body image and self-esteem. Based on the experiences of sufferers, this study demonstrates how glamorizing anorexia nervosa might lead to recurrence. Even while certain social media influencers might help with rehabilitation, the detrimental impact of social media may exceed the positive impact. It is critical that social media sites create stronger restrictions to avoid the propagation of hazardous behaviors while also providing support for people suffering from eating disorders. Additionally, education and awareness campaigns should be utilized to combat the glamorization of anorexia nervosa on social media.

Keywords: Eating Disorders; Growth of pro-anorexia; Low body image and depression; Anorexic patients; Social media

Introduction

Eating disorders are the most lethal mental illnesses; every 52 minutes someone dies because of an eating disorder [1]. An eating disorder is a mental illness that causes disturbances in a person’s attitude towards food, body weight, shape and pattern of eating [2]. Eating disorders have a detrimental influence on well-being and destroy a person’s physiological and psychological health [3]. Even though eating disorders affect both females and males, females are more likely to be affected by them [4]. There are many types of eating disorders such as Bulimia, Binge-Eating and Rumination Disorder however, Anorexia nervosa is the most fatal one [5]. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by abnormally low body weight, a drastic worry of gaining weight and a misinterpreted perception of weight [6]. To prevent gaining weight, people with anorexia restrict the amount of food they consume. To decrease their calorie intake people with anorexia often vomit, misuse laxatives, exercise excessively and follow other methods such as donating blood. With the rise of social media in the 21st century and effortless access, everyone has to upload whatever they want resulting in a concern regarding eating disorders [6].

Social media has an impact on eating disorders since it greatly praises anorexia in females, allowing the creation of pro-anorexia accounts, the sharing of damaging information, and the possibility of a relapse [7]. Social media may have a substantial influence on those suffering from eating disorders, notably anorexia nervosa. The growth of pro-anorexia (pro-ana) accounts and groups can foster a culture that normalizes and even promotes disordered eating behaviors. These sites frequently disseminate damaging suggestions, photos, and messages that glorify extreme thinness as an ideal, instilling a feeling of competitiveness and approval in individuals with eating disorders [8].

Furthermore, social media’s emphasis on beauty, particularly through curated and filtered photographs, can aggravate body image issues and instill feelings of inadequacy in susceptible people. Constant exposure to idealized and unattainable body ideals can reinforce negative self-perceptions and exacerbate disordered eating behaviors [9].

Also, social media algorithms can magnify toxic information by suggesting comparable accounts or postings, thereby driving people further into bad behavior. Despite efforts to regulate and delete pro-ana information, it is still available on many platforms, making it difficult for those in recovery to avoid triggers and preserve their progress [10].

The Effects of Pro-Anorexia Accounts on Eating Disorders

Social media has made it easy for users to distribute messages that promote or encourage eating disorders. Vulnerable persons may be impacted by provoking users who already have anorexia [11]. A report published showed that 84% of individuals who visited pro-ana sites had an eating disorder [12]. These pro-anorexia communities construct anorexia as a lifestyle choice rather than a disorder or mental illness that deserves medical attention and intervention [13]. Women with anorexia are less likely to recover if they are exposed to pro-ana websites as they will see their disorder as something superior or a blessing [14]. A few anorexic patients refer to their eating disorder as “ana buddy”.

For example, Blythe Baird wrote in her book “if my body could speak” the following statement “why would I ever stop being hungry when anorexia was the most interesting thing about me?” [15].

This is showing that social media glorifies and glamorizes anorexia by showing how “interesting” and “superior” women with that illness are. Social media apps such as Tumblr and Twitter had a reoccurring quote such as “feet together, thighs apart” [11]. Other severe ‘thinspiration’ pictures featured hashtags such as #ribs, #bones, and #bonespiration’. This pro-ana content is extremely easy for users to find. Using a simple hashtag, the user can view extremely triggering posts. In addition, a social media site named TikTok has been blamed by multiple teenagers for having a triggering algorithm. The majority of teenagers will find posts that recommend pro-ana behavior such as diets, laxatives and purging on their For You page [16]. An experiment was conducted that implied that girls with lower self-esteem are more responsive and showed a higher brain activity toward feedback from social media [17]. This results in women with already low self-esteem easily triggered from the posts they see on their TikTok For You page. Social media made this issue emerge. This shows that there is a great link between the emergence of social media and the triggering of anorexia, through how social media glamorized the disorder.

Retouched Photos

Another way social media glorifies eating disorders is by the spread of heavily edited/ retouched images [18]. These images set an impossible beauty standard that has a harmful impact on millions of women [19]. Multiple studies have linked photo editing with eating disorders. A study conducted in 2019 concluded that there is a correlation between the time spent on social media and mental health problems [20]. These mental health problems included suicide, low body image and depression.

A crucial problem with the increased use of technology is that the rising exposure to images causes an increased risk of having body dysmorphia [21]. Spending time on social media means that individuals will get used to seeing people through technology rather than in real life [22]. This is problematic as many people edit digitally their appearance, which increases the risks of unrealistic comparisons. People who never had any experiences with having an eating disorder might start to fall into the trap of going to extreme measures to match the beauty standard set by social media. Being bombarded with multiple heavily filtered images every day and everywhere will result in body dysphoria that can extend into something destructive such as anorexia [23]. One of the clients at Arthur House, a psychological clinic, mentioned any photo on social media that had a person in, she would compare every part of their body to hers [24]. The reason for the comparison is that often the majority of influencers on social media post pictures of their bodies that are “perfect” by society’s standard and humanly unachievable. Many people, especially young girls, are very vulnerable in falling into the trap of idolizing these figures who post unrealistic and heavily edited images. Unfortunately, the rise of trends such as Snapchat filters, photoshop edits and the emphasis on having a skinny body to look “pretty” might lead to an eating disorder and in addition to that it glorifies eating disorders.

Social Media and Relapse

Another problem with social media is that it invites people who are in the process of recovering to “fall down the rabbit hole”. Blythe Baird in her book stated “I do not know how to talk about the rabbit hole without accidentally inviting you to follow me down through it” [15]. Baird shows that usually people who talk about their experiences with anorexia online to warn the public, sometimes can result in the opposite outcome. Usually, anti-anorexia or recovery advocates talk about their experiences by mentioning the methods that people with eating disorders should avoid, such as painting your nails when you’re hungry or sucking ice cubes. These methods might not be known for all sick women; they might have found out about it through social media. Thus, this is the rabbit hole that women might be sucked in. Anorexia patients will open these social media accounts to look for tips and tricks rather than recover. A study that was conducted to find out the percentage of relapse during recovery stated that during the first 18 months 35-45% of women had a relapse [25]. Viral trends on social media such as “what I eat in a day in recovery?” has been really popular on various social media. Anorexic patients will look at these videos and compare themselves and their diet to the influencer. Even though the influencer intended to solely document her recovery, anorexic patients may be extremely sensitive during the first 18 months of the recovery to the extent where a small post or the slightest exposure to any food-related content may trigger the patient into a relapse. People who produce these movies occasionally depict meals with incredibly little calories in relation to how much a recovering patient requires. Extreme hunger is very common in recovery and most patients go through it. Watching these “What I eat in a day” videos might lead them to change their eating habits. What is healthy for someone isn’t necessarily healthy for the other, everyone’s diet is different. Women, especially young ladies, turn to social media to maintain their disorder [26]. This, however, does not mean that anorexia is not a dangerous illness; however, anorexic patients are so absorbed in their illness that they cannot take a stance against it. The glorification that social media holds in allowing patients to fall down the rabbit hole is dangerous and is highlighted by medical professionals. This is why social media unintentionally glorifies anorexia.

Social Media and Positive Influencers

Although social media glorifies and glamorizes eating disorders it is significant to mention the positive impact social media can also have. There is a ton of inspiring content and influencers sharing their eating disorder recovery experience. Research showed that on social media platforms such as YouTube there were 4.8 million views on anti-anorexia videos in comparison to 1.4 million views in pro-anorexia videos [27]. This does not mean that pro-anorexia videos are not spread over social media, as 1.4 million views is a large and alarming number. But it is significant to show the positive side social media can have. A lot of social media influencers are shedding light on intuitive eating. Intuitive eating is associated with eating based on physiological hunger cues and satiety cues. It focuses on the concept of eating without restrictions and dieting. Multiple studies showed that intuitive eating may have a positive impact on recovery [28]. Social media influencers who promote healthy eating through their experiences with recovery are very important however, as mentioned above even though social media influencers have the intention of only sharing their experience to do good. They may cause harm; this is because of the idea of “inviting to the rabbit hole”. Patients in recovery may search for tips and tricks for their eating disorders.

Some women, especially young ladies, search on social media for ways to prevent eating disorders. They look at the ways of preventing them however, they do the opposite of what is being told for them to do. This is because people who are ill with an eating disorder are extremely vulnerable during their sickness stage and also during recovery. The slightest comment can trigger a great emotional response. Young ladies are not aware of the effect social media has on their psyche and mentality; This is because during the 21st century having access to social media every day has become very normal. According to a study conducted by Pew Research “95% of teens” have access to a mobile phone [29]. This is a concerning number and the amounts of pro-ana content on the internet may cause extremely low body images for young women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is extremely great evidence that proves social media glorifies eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, especially in females during the popularity of media platforms. This is because pro-anorexia content can be easily spread and there is a variety of it in social media. It is difficult for these platforms to instantly censor this content therefore, people may have access to it. Social media has made filters and retouched images popular without placing restrictions on them or telling people that these pictures have been edited therefore, social media glamorizes unrealistic standards that might lead to a poor body image which will later develop into an eating disorder. Even though social media has a positive side in improving body image it may not be adequate enough as people sharing their eating disorder experience is triggering enough to allow patients to recover into falling in the rabbit hole. Thus, there is great evidence to support that social media glorifies eating disorders in women during the 21^st century.

Recommendations

It is critical for social media sites to take proactive efforts to curb the propagation of pro-ana information while also providing tools and help to individuals battling with eating disorders. Raising knowledge about the hazards of pro-ana networks, as well as encouraging body positivity and self-care, can help to minimize the harmful effects of social media on people’s mental health and well-being.

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