New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London reports on Mar. 13 that excessive smartphone use is closely associated with disordered eating behaviors and poor body image among young people who do not have a diagnosed eating disorder.
The findings are important because they suggest that problematic smartphone use may be a risk factor for developing unhealthy eating patterns and dissatisfaction with one's appearance, even in those without clinical diagnoses. Researchers say this highlights the need for early intervention strategies focused on reducing excessive phone use among young people showing symptoms of disordered eating.
The study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, analyzed data from 35 studies worldwide, covering a total sample size of 52,584 participants with an average age of 17. The analysis found that higher daily smartphone use was linked to greater symptoms of food addiction, uncontrolled or emotional overeating, and increased body dissatisfaction. The association was especially strong among individuals who used their phones for more than seven hours per day.
Ben Carter, Professor of Medical Statistics at King's IoPPN and senior author of the study, said, "Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our everyday lives. It is apparent from our study that, even for people without a diagnosis of an eating disorder, the overuse of a smartphone is associated with poor body satisfaction and altered eating behaviours, and is a potential source of distress."
Dr Johanna Keeler, Visiting Lecturer at King's IoPPN and first author of the study, said, "Adolescence is a key stage of development as individuals evolve their sense of self by observing others. While smartphones might present an easy way for this to happen, being consistently exposed to idealised images can lead them to compare their own appearance with these 'standards', leading to poor self-esteem and appearance dissatisfaction - both risk factors for the development of an eating disorder."
Researchers argue that future efforts should focus on identifying young people at risk due to high levels of smartphone use and providing targeted interventions to prevent negative outcomes related to body image and eating behaviors.
