Are the Use and Addiction to Social Networks Associated with Disordered Eating Among Adolescents? Findings from the EHDLA Study

The objective of this study was to examine whether the use and addiction of social networks are associated with disordered eating in Spanish adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study. The final sample included 653 adolescents (44.0% boys). Social network use (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) was evaluated by a single item scale with multiple response options. The Short Social Networks Addiction Scale-6 Symptoms was used to determine addiction to social networks. Disordered eating behaviors were assessed with the Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food scale. Adolescents with high social network use had greater odds of disordered eating (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.17-3.02). Adolescents with high social network addictive behaviors also showed a higher likelihood of presenting disordered eating (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.34-3.12). Social network use and addiction must be considered factors related to disordered eating among adolescents.