OBJECTIVE: Social media sites, such as Facebook, merge two factors that influence risk for eating disorders:media and peers. Previous work has identified cross-sectional and temporal associations between Facebook use and disordered eating. This study sought to replicate and extend these findings using an experimental design. METHOD: In Study 1, 960 women completed self-report surveys regarding Facebook use and disordered eating. In Study 2, 84 women were randomly assigned to use Facebook or to use an alternate internet site for 20 min. RESULTS: More frequent Facebook use was associated with greater disordered eating in a cross-sectional survey. Facebook use was associated with the maintenance of weight/shape concerns and state anxiety compared to an alternate internet activity. DISCUSSION: Facebook use may contribute to disordered eating by maintaining risk for eating pathology. As such, targeting Facebook use may be helpful in intervention and prevention programs.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Social media sites, such as Facebook, merge two factors that influence risk for eating disorders:media and peers. Previous work has identified cross-sectional and temporal associations between Facebook use and disordered eating. This study sought to replicate and extend these findings using an experimental design. METHOD: In Study 1, 960 women completed self-report surveys regarding Facebook use and disordered eating. In Study 2, 84 women were randomly assigned to use Facebook or to use an alternate internet site for 20 min. RESULTS: More frequent Facebook use was associated with greater disordered eating in a cross-sectional survey. Facebook use was associated with the maintenance of weight/shape concerns and state anxiety compared to an alternate internet activity. DISCUSSION: Facebook use may contribute to disordered eating by maintaining risk for eating pathology. As such, targeting Facebook use may be helpful in intervention and prevention programs.
Authors: Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft; Anna M Bardone-Cone; Ross D Crosby; Scott G Engel; Stephen A Wonderlich; Cynthia M Bulik Journal: Body Image Date: 2016-07-05
Authors: Janet A Lydecker; Elizabeth W Cotter; Allison A Palmberg; Courtney Simpson; Melissa Kwitowski; Kelly White; Suzanne E Mazzeo Journal: Eat Weight Disord Date: 2016-04-11 Impact factor: 4.652
Authors: Kristina Saffran; Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft; Andrea E Kass; Denise E Wilfley; Craig Barr Taylor; Mickey Trockel Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2016-06-15 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Morgan Walker; Laura Thornton; Munmun De Choudhury; Jaime Teevan; Cynthia M Bulik; Cheri A Levinson; Stephanie Zerwas Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 5.012