Influência das redes sociais no desenvolvimento dos transtornos alimentares

Abstract

The use of social media has been associated with the development of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors due to the internalization of thin-ideal conveyed on highly visual social media, with a focus on image. This study aims to establish what is the relationship between the use of social media and the development of eating disorders and how viewing specific content may be related to the development of this disorders through a narrative literature review. The searches took place in the Virtual Health Library and PUBMED databases using the descriptors eating disorder, social media, screen time and body image. Literature findings were divided into three categories: media effects and eating disorders, “thinspiration” and “fitspiration”, and screen time. Through the analysis of the articles, it was possible to establish a strong relationship between the use of social media sites, the internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders and disordered eating behavior. It is expected that, based on the findings in this review, it will be possible for health professionals to apply this knowledge in clinical care for patients with eating disorders or those at risk of developing these disorders.