Teenagers With Smartphones Are 49% More Likely to Show Signs of Eating Disorders

New findings show that children who get a smartphone earlier are more likely to report symptoms of overeating and dissatisfaction with their weight.

Zomit: New findings show that children who own phones earlier report more symptoms of binge eating and dissatisfaction with their weight.

A new study shows that children who own a smartphone at the age of 12 are more prone to developing symptoms of eating disorders compared to their peers. Researchers believe that early access to social networks and exposure to unrealistic images of the body play a role in the formation of these problems.

Researchers at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have found out that having a smartphone at the age of 12 is associated with a 36% increase in the probability of reporting symptoms of eating disorders. Also, the prevalence of symptoms of overeating in these children was 61% higher than peers who did not have phones. Nearly 70% of the 12-year-old children in the study owned a smartphone.

According to ScienceAlert, the results showed that by the age of 14, nearly a quarter of teenagers who had a phone since the age of 12 reported at least one symptom of an eating disorder. The probability of experiencing such symptoms in this group was 49% higher compared to teenagers who did not have a phone at the age of 12.

Also, 103% more likely that teenagers who own a phone from the age of 12 judge their worth based on their body weight; A way of thinking that may lead to dissatisfaction with the appearance and the formation of unhealthy eating habits.

However, researchers emphasize that reporting symptoms of eating disorders does not necessarily mean definitively suffering from these diseases. The study only examined adolescent-reported symptoms and did not assess clinical diagnoses of eating disorders.

One of the possible explanations for the research findings is the early exposure of teenagers to the content of social networks. Images of idealized bodies, fitness advertisements, and unscientific dietary advice may cause teens to compare their appearance to unrealistic standards.

Previous researches have also shown that increasing the duration of using screens and social networks is related to more likely behaviors to prevent weight gain and symptoms of overeating.

According to Jason Nagata, a pediatric specialist at the University of California and one of the authors of the study, early adolescence is a sensitive period; Because the ability to control behavior and emotions is still growing and the sensitivity to others' judgment increases. This period coincides with physical maturity, in which the risk of eating disorders increases.

Of course, using the phone and social networks is not always harmful. Some studies show that digital communication can be beneficial for the mental health of some teenagers. Therefore, how you use technology may be even more important than how long you use it.

Teens who owned a phone since age 12 were 103 percent more likely to judge their self-worth based on their body weight

Researchers believe that considering the observed relationship between having a phone at a young age and symptoms of eating disorders, parents can consider delaying the purchase of a personal phone for their children. They also suggest that health professionals should also ask about smartphone and social media use when examining adolescent nutritional problems.

However, the research results do not prove that smartphones directly cause eating disorders. Factors such as family conditions, mental state and the type of content consumed may also play a role in this relationship.

New research emphasizes the need to better understand the consequences of children's early access to technology; Especially at a time when teenagers are more sensitive to their body appearance and other people's judgments.