Concurrent and prospective associations of social media usage with binge eating symptoms in early adolescence
Authors' conclusion
SMA scores predict BE in early adolescence, with differentiation in the relationship by sex and weight status. Further observational and interventional research could illuminate underlying mechanisms and test the value of targeting social media-addictive behaviors to mitigate the risk of disordered eating.
Study context
- Population
- Early adolescents aged 11 to 12 years at Wave 1, Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
- Participants
- 1,940 adolescents
- Exposure
- Social media addiction symptoms and time on social media vs binge eating
- Outcome
- Binge eating symptoms (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5), self- and parent reports)
Methodological detailsthree annual waves, modified Poisson regression, adjusted for demographic and behavioral covariates
- Three annual waves
- Modified Poisson regression
- Adjusted for demographic and behavioral covariates
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of SMA and time on social media with BE
- Social media addiction (SMA) symptoms, but not time on social media, were cross-sectionally and prospectively associated with binge eating (BE)
- Consistently high SMA showed the strongest association with follow-up BE vs consistently low SMA; decreased and increased SMA showed similarly positive associations
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Moderation by sex and baseline body weight
- Prospective associations were stronger in male adolescents and differed by baseline body weight
Original publication
Concurrent and prospective associations of social media usage with binge eating symptoms in early adolescence. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 26 November 2024. doi:10.
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