Infographic - Social Media, Body Image and Food Choices in Healthy Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review

<b>Infographic</b> of '<i>Social Media, Body Image and Food Choices in Healthy Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review</i>' publication. A link to the<b> journal article</b> is found below (Rounsefell <i>et al</i>, 2019, DOI 10.1111/1747-0080.12581). <div><br></div><div><b>Abstract </b></div><div><i>Aim </i></div><div>Negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy dieting and disordered eating patterns. This review evaluated the impact of habitual social media engagement or exposure to image-related content on body image and food choices in healthy young adults (18-30 years). </div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Methods </i></div><div>A systematic search of six databases of observational literature published 2005-2019, was conducted (PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42016036588). Inclusion criteria were: studies reporting social media engagement (posting, liking, commenting) or exposure to image-related content in healthy young adults. Outcomes were: body image (satisfaction or dissatisfaction) and food choices (healthy eating, dieting/restricting, overeating/binging). Two authors independently screened, coded and evaluated studies for methodological quality. </div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i>Results </i></div><div>Thirty studies were identified (n = 11125 participants). Quantitative analysis (n = 26) identified social media engagement or exposure to image-related content was associated with higher body dissatisfaction, dieting/restricting food, overeating, and choosing healthy foods. Qualitative analysis (n = 4) identified five themes: (i) social media encourages comparison between users, (ii) comparisons heighten feelings about the body, (iii) young adults modify their appearance to portray a perceived ideal image, (iv) young adults are aware of social media's impact on body image and food choices, however, (v) external validation via social media is pursued. Most studies (n = 17) controlled for some confounding variables (age, gender, BMI, ethnicity). </div><div><br></div><div><i>Conclusions </i></div><div>Social media engagement or exposure to image-related content may negatively impact body image and food choice in some healthy young adults. Health professionals designing social media campaigns for young adults should consider image-related content, to not heighten body dissatisfaction.<br></div>