Associations between Facebook Use and Disordered Eating in College Women

Introduction. Approximately 11-20% of college women in America are within the clinical range for disordered eating. College women are also vulnerable to engaging in fat talk. Today’s college students spend much of their time on social media networks such as Facebook. The present study examined associations between Facebook activity, disordered eating, and fat talk online. Method. College-aged women (N=117) completed an online survey assessing disordered eating,depression, anxiety, perfectionism, impulsivity, self-efficacy, physical appearance comparison, Facebook intensity, and fat talk behaviors online. Results. Depression and anxiety were significant predictors of disordered eating (β=.37, p<.01; β=.27, p<.05, respectively). Online physical appearance comparison was also a highly significant predictor of disordered eating (β=.56, p<.01) and fat talk (β = .35, p < .01). Facebook intensity was not a significant predictor of disordered eating behaviors (β=-.08) and fat talk online (β=.02). Discussion. Our results indicate that maladaptive Facebook usage, in this case, online physical appearance comparison, is associated with disordered eating and online fat talk. Facebook could be used as a supplemental prevention tool to help establish a digital safety net for early intervention of disordered eating among individuals who may be in need of enhanced care.Bachelor of Scienc