Facebook "Selfies" Encourage Eating Disorders

Regular Facebook picture sharing in young women has been found to be directly associated with an increased risk of developing an eating disorder, according to a recent study.

The study, which was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, set out to see if frequent Facebook use maintained or encouraged heightened risks of the mental states that encourage the development of an eating disorder in young women.

The study included two stages. The first stage surveyed 960 female undergraduate college students, asking questions regarding Facebook use, eating habits, and self-image. Bringing the information gathered from these surveys over to an experimental design, the researchers analyzed 84 female participants who were randomly assigned to use Facebook or an alternate internet site for 20 minutes a day.

What researchers found was that more Facebook use resulted in higher anxiety and body dissatisfaction among the participants.

In a press release accompanying the study, study lead Professor Pamela K. Keel explained this likely occurs because Facebook "selfies" -- pictures of people -- are constantly being manipulated and angled so that the subject of the photo can appear more attractive than they may initially think they are. This practice alone encourages a culture of dissatisfaction with ones natural body image, but the fact other girl get to see these photos makes things even worse.

Keel explains that when girl sees her friends posting altered pictures of themselves, she then believes that's how she is supposed to look in a "if they can do I should do it" mind-set. Keel claims that Facebook photos such as these hit closer to home than any airbrushed model portrayed in the media ever will, and may significantly contribute to the modern eating disorder epidemic among young women.

"Fat talk" is also a problem that Keel thinks might be contributing to negative body images in women, where friends will get together and confirm self-critiques of bodily flaws. You've likely seen this kind of thing when an person posts a comment on a photo of themselves with "OMG! I'm so fat!" or something similarly negative.

Ironically, Keel and her research team concluded their study arguing that Facebook may also be an effective way in preventing eating disorders, where positive discussions rather than "fat talk" can go a long way towards developing healthy self-images.

The study "Do you 'like' my photo?" was first published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders on January 24.