TikTok Videos Glamorize Eating Disorders and Harm Women’s Body Image

Women Exposed to TikTok Videos with Pro-Anorexia Content Experience Negative Body Image, Study Finds

FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Women exposed to TikTok videos that make eating disorders look cool and glamorous tend to have worse body image, a new study finds.

These videos include what researchers call “pro-anorexia” clips, as well as other videos focused on weight loss.

Immediate Negative Consequences for Body Image and Appearance Ideals

“Our study showed that less than 10 minutes of exposure to implicit and explicit pro-anorexia TikTok content had immediate negative consequences for body image states and internalization of appearance ideals,” wrote study co-authors Madison Blackburn and Rachel Hogg, from Charles Sturt University in Australia.

TikTok’s Influence on Body Image

TikTok is incredibly popular among young users worldwide, and its algorithm creates a customized “For You” page based on user preferences.

That means that if girls and young women show a liking for weight loss-oriented videos, such clips can quickly flood their TikTok feed.

Study Methodology

To understand the impact of all this on viewers’ psyches, Blackburn and Hogg surveyed 273 women between the ages of 18 and 28.

They queried the young women on how much time they spent on TikTok and also assessed symptoms of disordered eating (conditions such as anorexia and bulimia).

These conditions also included what’s known as orthorexia: An unhealthy fixation on restricted diets that aim to eliminate “unhealthy” or “impure” foods.

The women were then randomized to one of two groups.

Results and Conclusion

One group watched seven to eight minutes of TikTok clips focused on disordered eating — for example, young women starving themselves or engaging in workouts, juice “cleanses” or offering up weight-loss tips.

The other group watched “neutral” TikTok content focused on nature, cooking, and animals.

The group that watched the pro-anorexia videos focused on weight loss had a bigger decline in body image satisfaction, the researchers said, and a rise “in internalization of beauty standards.”

The bottom line for the researchers: TikTok needs to do a better job of controlling pro-anorexia content.

The findings suggest that “psychological harm can occur for young female TikTok users even when explicit pro-anorexia content is not sought out and when TikTok use is of a short duration,” the researchers said.

The findings were published Aug. 7 in the journal PLOS ONE.

More Information

Learn the warning signs of an eating disorder at the National Eating Disorders Association.

SOURCE: PLOS ONE, news release, Aug. 7, 2024

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the negative impact of TikTok videos on women’s body image and mental health. This connects to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being. Additionally, the article highlights the gendered aspect of the issue, as it primarily affects young women and girls, linking it to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality. Lastly, the article mentions the need for better control of pro-anorexia content on TikTok, indicating a concern for reducing inequalities in access to harmful content, aligning with SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to mental health, violence against women, and reducing inequalities. Target 3.4 focuses on promoting mental health and well-being, which is relevant to the negative consequences of TikTok content on body image and eating disorders. Target 5.2 addresses the need to eliminate violence against women and girls, including the psychological harm caused by exposure to harmful content. Target 10.3 aims to reduce inequalities, including discriminatory practices in online platforms like TikTok.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator: Prevalence of mental health disorders and disordered eating behaviors among young women.
• Indicator: Incidence of harmful content related to eating disorders on TikTok.
• Indicator: Measures taken by TikTok to control and regulate pro-anorexia content.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but based on the identified targets, indicators can be inferred. The prevalence of mental health disorders and disordered eating behaviors among young women can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 3.4. The incidence of harmful content related to eating disorders on TikTok can serve as an indicator to assess the effectiveness of efforts to eliminate such content and achieve Target 5.2. Lastly, measures taken by TikTok to control and regulate pro-anorexia content can be monitored as an indicator to evaluate progress towards Target 10.3.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: healthday.com