The Impact of Social Media on Eating Disorder Risk and Self-Esteem Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Psychosocial Analysis in Individuals Aged 16-25

Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) result from complex interactions of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, disproportionately affecting adolescents and young adults. Social media, peer pressure, and self-esteem issues contribute to ED prevalence. This study examines ED risk, eating behaviors, and self-esteem among individuals aged 16-25, exploring differences by gender, age, and social media usage. Methods: A total of 261 participants (113 high school students, 115 college students, 33 working individuals) completed the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) between April and June 2024. This study utilized the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and My Eating Habits (MEH) questionnaires. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and linear regression, assessed associations between ED risk, self-esteem, and social media activity. Results: ED risk was identified in 47% (n = 123) of participants, with the highest prevalence in high school students (56.6%, n = 64). Significant gender differences were observed (p < 0.001), with males in the high school group showing elevated ED risk (64%, n = 32). Body dissatisfaction and frequent social media comparisons increased ED risk (p < 0.001); 45.7% (n = 102) of participants who often compared their bodies online reported heightened risk. Photo manipulation correlated with higher ED risk (p = 0.005). Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between ED risk and restrictive dieting (estimate = 0.9239; p < 0.001), while self-esteem had no significant effect (estimate = 0.00503, p = 0.977). Conclusions: This study highlights high ED risk driven by social media and body dissatisfaction. Interventions should focus on body image issues, self-acceptance, and media literacy. This study focused on a specific age group (16-25) in Poland, which may limit the ability to generalize the results to other demographic or cultural groups. Future research should include more diverse populations and objective measurements.