The prevalence of eating disorders is increasing in the United States and worldwide. One major contributor is social pressure, especially through social media.

A 2025 study in Frontiers in Nutrition reported that eating disorders were increasing. The study projected that the increase would continue through at least 2035. Women, youth, and young adults were most at risk, according to the study.

One potential contributor to the increase in eating disorders is social media. Social media use is also rising worldwide. Studies have linked social media use to negative body image and eating disorders.

Learn more about the potential link between social media and body image. Discover how to stop comparing yourself online. See how to make smart diet decisions for your mental health.

How Does Social Media Affect Body Image?

Studies have linked social media to negative body image and unhealthy eating habits. A 2023 PLOS Global Health review called social media a "plausible risk factor" for eating disorders.

Social media can cause unhealthy self-comparison, according to a 2023 review in Healthcare .

Users compare themselves to idealized — sometimes digitally altered — images on social platforms. They can become dissatisfied with their own bodies. This can lead to anxiety and lower self-esteem.

Another problem is "the algorithm," which can feed you the same type of content over and over.

The risk may be higher in younger people, especially with how much they're online. A 2025 Pew Research study reported that 40% of American teens ages 13 to 17 said they were online "almost constantly."

That much screen time could be risky.

A 2023 study in European Psychiatry examined how smartphone usage and social media affected adolescents. It reported that smartphone and social media use were associated with negative body image.

They were also associated with dangerous weight-control methods like:

  • 24-hour fasting.
  • Consuming over-the-counter diet pills.
  • Eating only one food.
  • Taking laxatives or diuretics.
  • Vomiting.

Can Social Media Trends Cause Negative Body Image?

Trends on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can contribute to negative body image. They can also cause unhealthy behaviors.

Two of the most common social media trends are:

  • Fitspiration (fitspo) — Content promoting "fit," muscular bodies.
  • Thinspiration (thinspo) — Content that promotes being thin.

These trends can be harmful. They can lead to unhealthy self-comparisons and dangerous behaviors.

This can be a risk factor for eating disorders, including:

  • Anorexia nervosa — In anorexia, negative body image can lead to dangerous behaviors like self-starvation or overexercising. Social media trends such as thinspiration, fitspiration, and ultra-low-calorie diets may pose a risk factor.
  • Bigorexia — Also known as muscle dysmorphia, this is an unhealthy focus on muscles. A 2025 review in European Eating Disorders Review found that fitness- and muscle-related social media content could be a risk for body dysmorphia.
  • Binge eating disorder — Binge eating disorder involves eating large quantities of food and feeling like you can't control it. A 2025 study published in Nutrients reported that exposure to appearance-focused, thinspiration, or weight-loss content was associated with binge eating.
  • Bulimia nervosa — Bulimia involves periods of binge eating followed by unhealthy habits to undo its effects, such as overexercise or self-induced vomiting. The Nutrients study reported a link between viewing appearance-focused, thinspiration, or weight loss content and bulimia symptoms.
  • Orthorexia nervosa — Orthorexia causes an obsession with eating only "clean" or "pure" foods. The review in European Eating Disorders Review found "significant associations" between social media use and orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

How Can I Avoid Negative Body Image from Social Media?

Social media can sometimes feel like an endless feedback loop of content that celebrates "ideal" bodies. We may feel dissatisfied or insecure if our own bodies don't match what we see in our social media feeds. But there are ways to fight back.

Here are some tips for a healthy body image on social media:

  • Avoid self-comparison — It can be tempting to compare ourselves to what we see on social media. But this can have negative effects. Instead, celebrate what makes you you. Focus on inner beauty.
  • Cut back on your use — Reducing how much time you spend on social media can boost your mental health. A 2023 study by the American Psychological Association compared social media use among adolescents and young adults. Those who reduced their social media use by 50% for three weeks reported feeling better about their appearance and weight than those who didn't. Avoid bringing your smartphone to the dinner table and limit social media use before bed.
  • Don't edit yourself — Using "beauty filters" or other methods to touch up photos before posting them can make you dissatisfied with your actual appearance.
  • Focus on body positivity — Curate your feed to avoid content that makes you feel dissatisfied with your body. Seek out content that celebrates body positivity or body functionality. A 2024 study in Acta Psychologica reported that viewing body-positive content increased body satisfaction in men and women.
  • Practice self-compassion — Be kind to yourself. Recognize that the images you see on social media don't represent all types of people and not a true perspective a person's life. Those images may be altered. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders says mindfulness, meditation, or journaling can help counteract negative thoughts.
  • Talk to a professional — If you're struggling with negative body image, talk to a counselor, therapist, or Registered Dietitian. Early intervention can reduce the risk of unhealthy behaviors, like eating disorders.

How can parents help their child's body image?

Children, adolescents, and teens are often at greater risk for negative body image from social media. Here are ways parents can help their children navigate the perils of social media:

  1. Stay informed — Ask your child about their social media use. Find out what platforms they're using and how often they're on them. Ask whether they notice any content that makes them feel dissatisfied or insecure about their bodies. Open communication can have positive effects.
  2. Help curate their feed — Explain the importance of viewing body-positive content rather than "idealized" content. Reinforce the importance of social algorithms in feeding positive content.
  3. Set social media limits — It may not be possible to restrict your child from social media altogether. But setting realistic boundaries can have positive effects. For example, try limiting usage before they finish their homework or before bedtime.

How Can I Make Healthy Diet Choices?

Don't try to look like the model you see on TikTok or Instagram. Instead, make healthy dietary choices.

It might help to talk to a Registered Dietitian. They can help you develop a better relationship with food and create a meal plan that works for you.

A typical healthy diet provides you with a variety of key nutrients that your body needs to stay nourished. It emphasizes:

  • Beneficial fats.
  • Dairy.
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Grains.
  • Proteins.

Making smart nutrition choices can keep you healthy without worrying about social media. This can help you feel less anxious, boosting your mental health in the long run.

UPMC Nutrition Services provides nutrition advice and counseling to meet your needs. We can help you with eating disorders, weight management, or dietary support to keep you healthy. To learn more about our services, visit our website.