Use of social networking sites and perception and intentions regarding body weight among adolescents

Factors associated with prospective changes in weight control intentions among adolescents

INTRODUCTION

The present study examined predictors of negative changes in weight control intentions from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents.

METHODS

Participants were Canadian secondary school students enrolled in the COMPASS study and had completed self-report surveys before (T1; 2018/2019 and/or 2019/2020 school year) and during (T2; 2020/2021 and/or 2021/2022) the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 11,869, Mage ± SD = 13.79 years old ± 1.15, 52.89% girls, 45.30% boys, 1.81% gender diverse). Demographic, interpersonal, behavioral, and psychological predictors of weight control intention change from T1 (stay the same weight, not doing anything about weight) to T2 (lose weight, gain weight) were tested using multilevel logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Over one-third (37.0%) of adolescents who reported wanting to stay the same weight at T1 changed their intention to lose or gain weight at T2, as did 28.5% of adolescents who reported not wanting to do anything about their weight at T1. Changing weight control intention from "not doing anything about weight" at T1 to weight gain/loss at T2 was associated with resistance training, emotion dysregulation, bullying, social media use, and gender. Changing weight control intention from "stay the same weight" at T1 to weight gain/loss at T2 was associated with gender, perceived financial comfort, social media use, and flourishing.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight the prevalence of maladaptive weight control intention changes among adolescents, and elucidate related behavioral, interpersonal, demographic, and psychological factors. Findings can inform targeted intervention and prevention strategies to disrupt maladaptive changes in weight control intentions among high-risk subgroups.

Influence of Social Media Use on Body Image and Well-Being Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

Social media has been classified as a new form of addiction. The aim of the current systematic review was to analyze social media's impact on body image and well-being among adolescents and young adults. Twenty-one articles published from 2015 to April 2020 were analyzed. Misuse or intensive use of social media was related to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, risky behaviors, and eating disorders. Information manipulation, lack of media literacy, and internalization of ideal body standards trigger mental problems and risky eating behaviors in this population. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(12), 11-18.].

Prevalence of body weight dissatisfaction among adolescents: a systematic review

Objective:

To identify the prevalence of weight dissatisfaction among adolescents aged 10-19 years and stratify the analysis by sex.

Data source:

A literature review of cross-sectional studies among healthy adolescents was performed. The U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health (PubMed), Ovid^® (Wolters Kluwer), The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and American Psychological Association (PsycINFO^®) databases were searched between May 2019 and January 2020.

Data synthesis:

Initially, 3,700 records were identified, and 10 papers were obtained through other sources. After the removal of duplicates, 1,732 records were screened based on the titles and abstracts, and 126 were preselected for full-text analysis. After the application of the eligibility criteria, 34 papers were included in the present review. The studies were published between 1997 and 2020. The sample size ranged from <150 to >103,000 adolescents. The prevalence of weight dissatisfaction ranged from 18.0 to 56.6% in both sexes (10.8-82.5% among boys and 19.2-83.8% among girls).

Conclusions:

Based on the findings of the present systematic review, the prevalence of weight dissatisfaction is high among adolescents, especially girls. Such information can contribute to the planning of health and education programs addressing the issue of weight in adolescents.

Factors Correlated with Body Image Dissatisfaction in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The adverse effects of continuous use of antiretroviral therapy can generate dissatisfaction with body image in children and adolescents diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence and factors associated with body image dissatisfaction (BI) in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV infection; (2) This is a cross-sectional study with 60 children and adolescents (32 females; 28 males) aged 8-15 years diagnosed with HIV, carried out in Florianópolis, Brazil. Information on BI was collected through a silhouette scale, as well as sociodemographic information, biological maturation, lifestyle, self-esteem, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and aspects of HIV infection; (3) Results: The results indicated that 53.13% of female patients and 53.57% of male patients were dissatisfied with their BI. Lower subscapular skinfold and higher calf skinfold values were associated with BI dissatisfaction in females. Pre-pubertal maturation stage, higher economic level, lower concentrations of CD4+ lymphocytes, lower viral load, lower level of physical activity and longer time in front of the computer and/or video game were associated with BI dissatisfaction in males; (4) Conclusions: BI dissatisfaction was observed in more than half of patients and morphological, economic, behavioral and HIV infection aspects were associated with BI dissatisfaction.

Problem Technology Use, Academic Performance, and School Connectedness among Adolescents

Background: Little is known about the association between problem technology use in adolescents and school-related outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of problem technology use and examine its association with academic performance and school connectedness in a sample of students across Ontario, Canada. Methods: Self-reported data from a sample of 4837 students in grades 9 to 12 (mean age: 15.9 years; 49.5% females) were cross-sectionally analyzed. Ordered logistic regression models were adjusted for important covariates. Results: We found that 35.8% of students used their screen device for at least 5 h a day and about 18.6% had moderate-to-serious symptoms of problem technology use, a prevalence that was higher in females (22.4%) than males (14.9%). Heavy technology use was differentially associated with lower academic performance and lower levels of school connectedness in males and females. Having moderate-to-serious symptoms of problem technology use was associated with lower academic performance among males (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.53–0.87) and females (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.52–0.84). It was also associated with less school connectedness in both males (AOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.50–0.86) and females (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.51–0.78). Conclusion: Excessive use and problem technology use are highly prevalent among secondary school students, and they are associated with lower academic performance and lower levels of school connectedness.

[Investigating the relationship between social media use and body image among adolescents: A systematic review]

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to update the scientific knowledge concerning the relationship between the use of social networking sites and body image among adolescents.

METHODS

A preregistered systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and allowed to include 30 peer-reviewed articles for qualitative analysis, consisting of 26 unique samples (n=31,331; M_age=14.89; SD_age=1.07). The search was conducted on Pubmed, PsychInfo and Scopus focusing on studies that included any social network site use and body image measures while being based on general population adolescent samples. Social networking site use referred: 1) to any online activities such as browsing, posting, editing selfies, liking, commenting; 2) to any exposure to appearance-related content; or 3) to a measure of frequency use. The scope of social networking sites considered in the present review was extended to online video-sharing platforms and online dating applications due to their relationship with appearance. Body image as considered through MeSH terms referred to a wide range of possible outcomes including body and facial dissatisfaction, dysmorphophobia, body surveillance, self-objectification, body shame, weight concerns, self-monitoring. Any mental health outcome was extracted when available although its absence was not an exclusion criterion..

RESULTS

Among the 30 studies included in the review, 22 were cross-sectional, seven were longitudinal and one had an experimental design. Overall, among studies based on unique samples, 18 studies included both males and females (n=28,081; M_age 14.84; SD_age=1.06), seven were based exclusively on female samples (n=2,507; M_age 14.87; SD_age=1.19), while one study recruited only male adolescents (n=743; M_age 15.90; SD_age=0.54). Only six studies were based on representative samples. These studies reported a robust association between frequency of social networking site use and negative body image among both females and males. In addition, exposure to appearance-related content was also deleterious to body image. The association between the use of social media and negative body image may involve negative mental health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms, low body esteem and problematic use of social media. Measuring specific activities on social network sites or exposure to appearance-related content (e.g. selfies editing; selfies posting) may be more accurate than using a frequency of overall use (e.g. during the past month) when predicting body image. Studies addressing underlying processes supported that the relationship between use of social media and body image may not be direct but rather involve intermediary steps on both cognitive and social levels, namely internalization of the thin ideal, self-objectification, peer appearance-related feedback, ascendant social comparison with peers and celebrities. Also, it remains unclear whether mental health mediates this relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between the use of social networking sites and negative body image is robustly supported in the literature. However, studies measuring frequency of overall use may instead be predicting negative body image with a nested measure of the use of social network sites, namely specific activities involving appearance-related content. Due to the observed discrepancies between self-reported frequency of social networking site use and actual use in methodological literature, future research may rather measure behaviors commonly encountered on a given platform. Furthermore, there is a need to distinguish specific site categories such as highly visual social media when focusing on body image outcomes. . Focusing on specific social media platforms may in turn lead to more targeted prevention regarding a safe utilization of social networking sites among adolescents. Despite the growing body of research concerning the association between social media and body image, the current review underlines that additional longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to investigate potential bidirectional effects, as well as studies based on representative samples to improve generalization to adolescent populations.

24-Hour Movement Behaviors and Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors Among Youth

PURPOSE

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (≥60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, ≤2 hours of recreational screen time per day, and 9-11 hours of sleep per night for 5-13 years old) are associated with better physical health, but less is known about how these behaviors are related to mental health. This study examined the association of meeting these guideline recommendations with internalizing and externalizing behaviors among youth.

METHODS

A large and broadly representative cross-sectional sample of 9- to 11-year-old U.S. youth (N = 11,875) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study was analyzed. Internalizing and externalizing behaviors were measured using the Child Behaviour Checklist. Associations were examined using negative binomial regression adjusted for several confounders.

RESULTS

Compared to meeting none of the recommendations, meeting recommendations for screen time and sleep but not physical activity was associated with a lower prevalence ratio of total, internalizing, and externalizing behaviors. Meeting two or all three recommendations was more strongly associated with these outcomes than meeting one recommendation or none. The prevalence ratio of the group meeting all three recommendations was .77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: .68-.86) for total problem scores, .78 (95% CI: .68-.89) for internalizing problem scores, and .79 (95% CI: .68-.91) for externalizing problem scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines was associated with a lower risk of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in youth. These associations were mainly explained by meeting the screen time and sleep duration recommendations.

Correlations between Excessive Body Mass Index, Body Perception, Physical Activity, and Respiratory Functions among Youths in an Urban Setting of Vietnam

Young adults are susceptible to overweight and obesity and their adverse outcomes. However, limited studies have been conducted to understand this health problem in Vietnamese youths. This study was conducted to examine the rate of overweight and obesity, as well as the relationship between this condition on body perception, physical activity, and respiratory function among young adults in Hanoi, Vietnam. We performed a cross-sectional survey with 367 students aged 18-25 years at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy from June 2017 to June 2018. The result showed that the rate of overweight and obesity in our sample was 16.6%. There were 55.7% of overweight/obese students having the misperception of their body image. Results of multivariate regression analysis showed that overweight/obesity increased nearly three times (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5-5.0) the ability to be active. Overweight/obese students with physical activity had a better respiratory function. To conclude, this study underlined the associations between overweight and obesity with physical activity, body image, and respiratory function in our young sample. Further longitudinal studies should be warranted to examine their causal relationships.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of the SoMe social media literacy body image and wellbeing program for adolescent boys and girls: Study protocol

Youth spend substantial time on social media, which can foster self-critical processes that increase risk of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and depressed mood. To date, there have been few investigations of interventions to decrease the negative impacts of social media engagement in adolescent boys and girls. This paper outlines the protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a four-lesson social media literacy program that was developed based on pilot results and aims to decrease body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and strategies to increase muscles. The RCT will be conducted with grades 7-8 students from Australian secondary schools. Using block randomization, grade levels within schools will be assigned to either the SoMe program (intervention) or health lessons as usual (control). Primary outcomes will be body satisfaction, dietary restraint, and strategies to increase muscles. Secondary outcomes will be self-esteem and depressed mood. Participants will complete assessments on four occasions - baseline, five-weeks post-baseline, and six- and 12-month post-baseline. Analyses will compare outcomes in the intervention compared to the control group. This study will be the first to implement a RCT design to evaluate the impact of a school-based social media literacy program designed to mitigate negative impacts of social media.

Sex differences in the relationship between social media use, short sleep duration, and body mass index among adolescents

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether sex moderates the association between social media use and body mass index (BMI) and (2) assess whether sleep duration mediates the association between social media use and BMI.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional province-wide and school-based survey of 7^th to 12^th graders (mean age: 15.1 years).

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of 4,991 students from the 2015 cycle of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (Canada).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants self-reported time spent using social media, total screen time, physical activity, sleep duration, and body weight and height. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between social media use and BMI z-scores. Given that the sex by social media use interaction term was significant, analyses were stratified by sex.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, ethnic background, subjective socioeconomic status, frequency of breakfast consumption, and physical activity, heavy social media use (>2 hours/day) was associated with higher BMI z-scores among males (β=0.323, 95% CI: 0.094; 0.551) than among females (β=0.036, 95% CI: -0.292; 0.364). This association remained significant after further adjusting for total screen time. Results also showed that sleep duration mediates the association between social media use and BMI z-scores among men.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that short sleep duration is a concurrent mediator of the relationship between social media use and BMI z-scores among males. Reducing time spent using social media may be a good behavioral target to promote adequate sleep duration, which is considered as a component in childhood obesity prevention efforts.

Social media use and parent-child relationship: A cross-sectional study of adolescents

We examined the association between social media use and parent-child relationship quality and tested whether this association is independent of total screen time. Data on 9,732 students (48.4% female) aged 11-20 years were obtained from a provincially representative school-based survey. Heavy use of social media (daily use of more than 2 hr) was associated with greater odds of negative relationships between mother-daughter (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.52), father-daughter (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.16-2.09), father-son (OR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.58-3.05) but not mother-son (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.88-1.55). Results were similar after further adjusting for total screen time. There were no significant associations between regular use of social media (2 hr or less) and parent-child relationships. These findings suggest that heavy use of social media is associated with negative parent-child relationships. Longitudinal research is necessary to disentangle the pathways between social media use and the parent-child relationship.

Repercussions of Social Networks on Their Users’ Body Image: Integrative Review

Abstract This integrative review of literature followed the PICO strategy to investigate the repercussions of the use of social networks on the body image of their users. PubMed, LILACS, PsycINFO and SciELO databases were included as well as articles published between January 2006 and February 2019. Thirty-three articles were analyzed, which compose the corpus of this review. The studies revealed that social networks have a predominantly negative repercussion on the body self-image of their users, increasing levels of body dissatisfaction, also having a negative impact on mood and self-esteem. Added to this, social networks influenced the body type that users would like to have, translated by the lean body profile, considered a model of beauty.

Selfie-viewing and facial dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model of general attractiveness internalization and body appreciation

The present study examined whether selfie-viewing (i.e., viewing other people's selfie posts and related likes/comments) on social networking sites (SNSs) was positively associated with adolescents' facial dissatisfaction and whether this association was mediated by general attractiveness internalization. We also tested whether the indirect link between selfie-viewing and facial dissatisfaction by general attractiveness internalization would be moderated by body appreciation. Furthermore, potential gender differences were explored. The model was tested with 1496 Chinese adolescent boys and girls who completed questionnaires regarding selfie-viewing, general attractiveness internalization, body appreciation, and facial dissatisfaction. Results indicated that selfie-viewing was positively related to facial dissatisfaction and this relationship was mediated by general attractiveness internalization. Furthermore, body appreciation moderated the indirect relation between selfie-viewing and facial dissatisfaction via general attractiveness internalization. Gender did not moderate the mediation model. Findings from the current study provide new insights into the relation between SNS use and body image and highlight the potential value of promoting body appreciation in the prevention of body image concerns.

Problematic internet use: a cross-sectional study on a model from university students in Egypt

BACKGROUND

Problematic Internet use in the form of excessive Internet use, excessive social network sites (SNSs) use, and compulsive Internet use (CIU) has been increasing among young adults. However, the association between excessive Internet and SNSs use and CIU have not yet been confirmed. This study aimed to investigate this association and detect the risk factors of excessive Internet use, excessive SNSs use, and CIU among university students in Egypt.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A multi-stage random sampling approach was adopted to include university students representing medical and non-medical faculties from 3 universities in Egypt. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) was used to measure the online addictive behaviors of students.

RESULTS

The age of the 510 participating students was 20.84 ± 1.62 years, 28.2% were males, 36.9% were living in North Egypt, and 69.4% were registered in medical faculties. After adjustment for age, sex, residence, SNSs accounts, Internet payments, and academic gradings, having Sarahah account associated with excessive Internet use (p = 0.010), excessive SNSs use (p < 0.001), and CIU (p < 0.001) while having Instagram account associated with excessive Internet use (p = 0.019) only. CIU correlated positively with daily hours of Internet use (r = 0.303, p < 0.001) and daily hours of SNSs use (r = 0.356, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Excessive Internet use and excessive SNSs use are associated with CIU. Having Sarahah account is related to excessive Internet use, excessive SNSs use, and CIU.

A study of Singapore adolescent girls' selfie practices, peer appearance comparisons, and body esteem on Instagram

Social media allow users to play multiple roles as receivers, exhibitors, and evaluators of idealized images through photo browsing, posting, and editing. In this study, we examined the associations between adolescent girls' various types of Instagram selfie practices and their body esteem. The mediating role of appearance comparisons and the moderating role of direction of comparisons were also tested. A survey was distributed to 303 adolescent girls from three secondary schools in Singapore. Results indicated that the negative associations between participants' photo browsing and editing behaviors and body esteem were fully mediated by peer appearance comparisons. Contrarily, selfie posting had a direct and positive association with body esteem that was not mediated by peer appearance comparisons. The findings suggested that objectifying standards of beauty may permeate adolescent girls' value systems through frequent appearance comparisons on social media. When peer influence was presented in the form of appearance comparisons, it had a strong negative association with body esteem, regardless of the direction of the comparisons involved. The positive relationship between selfie posting and body esteem suggested that peer interactions may benefit adolescent girls' body image development in specific ways that warrants further inquiry.

Women's Use of Social Media: What Is the Evidence About Their Impact on Weight Management and Body Image?

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to summarize recent research on the effects of social media-delivered weight management interventions on weight loss and the impact of social media use on body image concerns in women and adolescent girls.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence supports the feasibility, but not the efficacy, of studies using single-component social media-delivered weight management interventions (i.e., including no other modes of intervention delivery) in women. Studies conducted in adolescent girls and women suggest that the impact of social media on body image outcomes is mostly detrimental, but is dependent on the context (e.g., exposure to idealized social media appearance images), peers' feedback, and constructs, such as appearance comparison tendency. More research is needed to conclude on the efficacy of social media-delivered interventions on both weight and body image outcomes and to understand how and when exposure to social media could promote effective weight management and also advocate positive body image in women.

Stigma and Its Association With Glycemic Control and Hypoglycemia in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Qualitative studies in type 1 diabetes indicate that visibility of diabetes supplies, self-care, and hypoglycemia symptoms are associated with stigma and suboptimal management. This may be particularly salient in youth who face concurrent challenges such as establishing autonomy and making vocational choices.

Objective

The aim of the study was to estimate stigma prevalence in youth (aged 14-24 years) with type 1 diabetes and its associations with glycemic control.

Methods

Participants, recruited largely through social media, were asked to complete a Web-based survey and to send via mail capillary blood samples for glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) measurement. The primary definition of stigma required endorsement of one or more of 3 stigma-specific items of the Barriers to Diabetes Adherence questionnaire. These addressed avoidance of diabetes management with friends present, difficulty telling others about diabetes diagnosis, and embarrassment in performing diabetes care with others present. Poor glycemic control was defined as HbA_1c>9% (ie, >75 mmol/mol; measured value when available, else self-report) and/or ≥1 severe hypoglycemic episode in the previous year (reported requiring assistance from someone else during the episode). Stigma prevalence was computed (95% CI), and associations with glycemic control were evaluated (multivariate logistic regression models).

Results

Among the 380 respondents, stigma prevalence was 65.5% (95% CI 60.7-70.3). Stigma was associated with a 2-fold higher odds of poor glycemic control overall (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 95% CI 1.33-3.80; adjusted for age, sex, and type of treatment). There were specific associations with both HbA_1c>9% (75 mmol/mol; OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.36-6.86) and severe hypoglycemia in the previous year (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.05-3.31).

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of stigma in youth with type 1 diabetes that is associated with both elevated HbA_1c levels and severe hypoglycemia. Targeted strategies to address stigma are needed.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02796248; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02796248 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6yisxeV0B)

Pornography use in sexual minority males: Associations with body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life

OBJECTIVE

We examined two hypotheses regarding the potential association of pornography use with body image-related and eating disorder-related psychopathology among sexual minority males (i.e. non-heterosexual males). Our primary hypothesis was that pornography use would be associated with males' body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life impairment; our secondary hypothesis was that the type of pornography, namely, professional versus amateur pornography, which contains idealised and non-idealised (i.e. regular) bodies, respectively, would moderate these associations.

METHODS

A sample of 2733 sexual minority males living in Australia and New Zealand completed an online survey that contained measures of pornography use, body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life.

RESULTS

Almost all (98.2%) participants reported pornography use with a median use of 5.33 hours per month. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased pornography use was associated with greater dissatisfaction with muscularity, body fat and height; greater eating disorder symptoms; more frequent thoughts about using anabolic steroids; and lower quality of life. Effect sizes for these associations were uniformly small. Neither relationship status nor genital dissatisfaction was associated with pornography use. The association between pornography use and thoughts about using anabolic steroids was stronger for viewers of professional pornography than viewers of amateur pornography.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the use of pornography is weakly associated with body dissatisfaction and related variables and that the type of pornography (amateur vs professional) viewed may be a moderating factor in some cases. Within the limits of a cross-sectional study design, these findings may have implications for clinicians who treat individuals with eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence and related concerns.

Use of social networking sites and perception and intentions regarding body weight among adolescents

Objective

Social networking sites (SNSs) not only offer users an opportunity to link with others but also allow individuals to compare themselves with other users. However, the link between the use of SNSs and the dissatisfaction with body weight is largely unknown. We investigated the associations between the use of SNSs and the perception of body weight and related behaviours among adolescent men and women.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 4,468 (48.5% women) 11–19‐year‐old Canadian students in grades 7 to 12 who participated in the 2013 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey.

Results

Overall, 54.6% of students reported using SNSs for 2 h or less per day, 28.0% reported using them for more than 2 h d⁻¹ and 17.4% reported infrequent or no use of SNSs (reference category). After adjustment for covariates, results showed that adolescent women who use SNSs for more than 2 h d⁻¹ had greater odds of dissatisfaction with body weight (odds ratio = 2.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30–3.16). More specifically, they were more likely to perceive themselves as overweight (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.34−3.60) compared with those who reported infrequent or no use of SNSs. Conversely, men who use SNSs for 2 h or less per day presented a lower risk for perceiving themselves as overweight (RRR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47−0.98) but not those who use SNSs for more than 2 h d⁻¹. Women who use SNSs for more than 2 h d⁻¹ reported a greater likelihood of trying to lose weight (RRR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.62−3.90).

Conclusions

Our results showed that heavy use of SNSs is associated with dissatisfaction with body weight in adolescent women.