Social media use tied to binge eating in early adolescence

Social media addiction (SMA) appears to exert some influence on binge eating habits in early adolescence, suggests a recent study, noting a difference in the association by sex and weight status.

The authors analysed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which included a total of 1,940 participants aged 11 to 12 years at wave 1, over three annual waves. They calculated SMA scores and time spent on social media using self-report questionnaires.

Subsequently, the authors assessed binge eating symptoms using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5) through self-reports and parent reports. Finally, associations were explored using the modified Poisson regression, with adjustments for demographic and behavioural covariates.

SMA symptoms, but not time spent on social media, demonstrated cross-sectional and prospective associations with binge eating. Prospective associations differed by baseline body weight and were found to be more pronounced among male adolescents.

Individuals in the consistently high SMA group had the strongest tendency toward follow-up binge eating as opposed to those in the consistently low SMA group. On the other hand, decreased and increased SMA groups had similarly positive associations.

“Further observational and interventional research could illuminate underlying mechanisms and test the value of targeting social media-addictive behaviours to mitigate the risk of disordered eating,” the authors said.