RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL MEDIA AND EATING DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENCE

Abstract

The growing influence of social media in the lives of adolescents has been associated with the development of eating disorders, becoming a relevant topic for public health. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the use of social media and the risk of eating disorders in adolescence, considering factors such as body image, social comparison, and exposure to content related to food and aesthetics. This is a descriptive research of a narrative and systematic nature, based on a literature review in the PubMed, LILACS and Scopus databases. The findings demonstrate that digital platforms, especially those with strong visuals, play a significant role in internalizing unrealistic body patterns, intensifying body dissatisfaction and encouraging dysfunctional eating behaviors. In addition, engaging in online communities that promote ideals of thinness and extreme diets can contribute to the perpetuation of eating disorders. It is concluded that media literacy emerges as an essential strategy to minimize the negative impacts of social news on the mental and dietary health of adolescents, highlighting the need for preventive interventions and external public policies for this problem.