Instagram - a culprit of eating disorders

Abstract

Problem SignificanceEating disorders are severe health conditions that can result in death due to unhealthy eating behaviors over an extended period. Each year, there are roughly 10,200 eating-disordered related deaths with a $64.7 billion cost to the economy. The three types of eating disorders are binge eating disorder, anorexia nervous, and bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders is more likely to occur in women than men.Analysis and ObjectivesUsing the Socio-Ecological Model, the following determinants were identified as factors influencing eating disorders among women ages 18 to 45 – low self-esteem, gender, lack of control in life, relationships, cultural norms, social media, and policies. Social media usage, specifically Instagram, has been identified to strongly influence eating disorders. In order to develop a proposal that addresses this factor, it was necessary to understand the magnitude of Instagram's influence on eating disorders.Intervention (Solution) ProposalThe proposed intervention includes a two-day workshop series with women ages 18 – 45 that use Instagram. The workshops aim to increase knowledge of eating disorders and develop skills to cross-examine an Instagram post for potential negative influences.Recommendations and ConclusionsIt is important to prioritize eating disorders as a Public Health issue because it does not discriminate and can impact anyone. Future research should include understanding the influence other social media apps have on eating disorders as similar content is often shared. By developing the skills and knowledge to combat Instagram's influence, women will no longer feel the need to engage in disordered eating behaviors