Social media, body image and food choices in healthy young adults: A mixed methods systematic review

Abstract

Aim: Negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy dieting and disordered eating patterns. This review evaluated the impact of habitual social media engagement or exposure to image-related content on body image and food choices in healthy young adults (18-30 years). Methods: A systematic search of six databases of observational literature published 2005-2019, was conducted (PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42016036588).Inclusion criteria were: studies reporting social media engagement (posting, liking, commenting) or exposure to image-related content in healthy young adults. Outcomes were: body image (satisfaction or dissatisfaction) and food choices (healthy eating, dieting/restricting, overeating/binging). Two authors independently screened, coded and evaluated studies for methodological quality. Results: Thirty studies were identified (n = 11 125 participants). Quantitative analysis (n = 26) identified social media engagement or exposure to image-related content was associated with higher body dissatisfaction, dieting/restricting food, overeating, and choosing healthy foods. Qualitative analysis (n = 4) identified five themes: (i) social media encourages comparison between users, (ii) comparisons heighten feelings about the body, (iii) young adults modify their appearance to portray a perceived ideal image, (iv) young adults are aware of social media's impact on body image and food choices, however, (v) external validation via social media [Correction added on 14 October 2019, after first online publication: The affiliations of authors Siân McLean and Linda Brennan have been corrected].

Language of Health of Young Australian Adults: A Qualitative Exploration of Perceptions of Health, Wellbeing and Health Promotion via Online Conversations

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The Use of Fitness Influencers’ Websites by Young Adult Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Giustini et al indicated that the use of social media in public health initiatives and medicine may bring problems related to mental health, privacy, confidentiality, and the reliability of information [ 67 ]. Rounsefell et al analyzed 26 original studies and found that social media engagement or exposure could be related to greater body dissatisfaction, dieting or restricting food, overeating, and choosing healthy foods among healthy young adults aged 18–30 [ 68 ]. Other authors pointed out that the advice given by so-called healthy food bloggers was not evidence-based and in the recipes analyzed by the authors, the fat content seemed to be increased to make up for the reduced sugar content [ 69 ].…”

Learning the Language of Social Media: A Comparison of Engagement Metrics and Social Media Strategies Used by Food and Nutrition-Related Social Media Accounts

“…Conversely, social media can foster an environment for poor dietary behaviours and body dissatisfaction [10]. Individuals can present heavily staged and edited content that portrays a 'perfect lifestyle', that may not reflect their true self [11]. Consequently, viewing or engaging with these 'idyllic images' can negatively affect body image and contribute to dieting/restricting of food or overeating and a greater pursuit of external validation.…”