Teen Corner – May 2024

    “You gonna walk that sandwich off? LOL.” “Why bread makes you fat.” “How to lose weight in 10 days!”
    I found these comments and headlines after five minutes scrolling through Instagram. Social media’s effects on body image are real – and frightening.
    Negative body image is closely tied to eating disorders (EDs), wherein individuals display extreme dieting, overexercise and self-induced vomiting to reach an “ideal weight.”
    EDs disproportionately affect females, and studies published in the National Library of Medicine reveal their increasing frequency, regardless of gender (see bit.ly/445fgS5, bit.ly/3TQxmlO).
    But what’s causing this disturbing trend? The answer may lie in social media.
    Per a survey by Gallup Familial and Adolescent Health, teens spend an average of 4.8 hours on screens daily (see bit.ly/3U8iFvZ). During those hours, they encounter content that can mold their thoughts into an ED minefield: research published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders shows that adolescents with social media accounts, especially Snapchat and Tumblr, possess greater risk for developing EDs (see bit.ly/4aleG4I).
    Social media amplifies the ideal of unhealthy thinness through distortive filters.
    “With camera angles and lighting appearing realistic online, teens desire to change their image,” said Miramonte High School junior Eliani Kim.
    Misinformation surrounding “good” or “bad” diets infiltrates the online world, often spread by unlicensed nutritionists. Compounding that with the judgmental comments polluting every platform, social media makes the “perfect body” an impossible ideal.
    “Social media created an ED and exercise habits to fix my ‘problems,’” Kim said. “Sometimes, I still struggle to prioritize health over physical attributes.”
    Beyond bodily wellness, EDs alter all aspects of teen health.
    “EDs can negatively impact social and cognitive ability, athletic performance and growth,” said Registered Dietitian Jill Daniels.
But the good news? Students and educators are taking action to combat ED culture.
    Wellness Intake Specialist Ellen Zapalac oversees student mental health at Miramonte. Thanks to her efforts, the school has reported a decrease in ED referrals over three years.
    Last month, Miramonte hosted a Healthy Body Image “tabling,” where students glanced in a mirror before writing on a sticky note something they loved about what they saw.
    “Teens expressed gratitude to a body part that helps them, like their eyes for seeing the green hills or their legs to run track,” said Zapalac.
    Outside school, teens are working to transform social media from a forum of deception to a supportive, body-positive space. The Instagram hashtag (#intuitive eating), which counters ED restriction and emphasizes food freedom, contains two million posts.
Users can also avoid misinformation by following reputable sources.
    “Seek out registered dietitians who are weight-neutral, non-diet and who utilize Health At Every Size principles (asdah.org),” said Daniels.
    Other times, shutting off the screen is the best way to go.
    A recent study by the American Psychological Association showed that teens who reduce their screen time by 50% improved their perceived body image (see bit.ly/3vEt1dB).
    The fight against ED culture isn’t over, but awareness is the first step.
    “We have to flip the whole way we think about body image,” said Zapalac. “Having that ongoing conversation of inclusivity can foster immense change.”
    The National Eating Disorder Helpline can be reached at 866.662.1235.