adolescent Health experts have expressed new concerns about the impact of social media on the mental and physical well-being of teenagers, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram that are causing drastic changes in the diet of young people, especially girls.
Experts say that social media may not be the root cause of this condition, but it acts as a powerful trigger, leading to a behavior that can lead to anorexia, bulimia and overeating or eating disorders.
‘We no longer treat any eating disorders without addressing the use of social media,’ French dietitian and nutritionist Carol Copeti told AFP.’
According to the data, the number of people suffering from any kind of food disorders in their lives has almost doubled worldwide, with the ratio of 3.5 percent to 7.8 percent in 2018, and this is the time when the number of users on social media has increased worldwide.
Psychiatrist of France Student Health Foundation Dr. Nathalie Godart said the online promotion of strict eating habits, overexercising and unrealistic physical standards ‘may weak people more and pose a threat to their health’.
‘Social media normalizes dangerous habits. A video showing their malnourished bodies or bulimia-stricken behavior of bulimia to prevent weight gain after eating,’ said French nurse Charlene Buiges, who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, "social media normalizes dangerous habits."
Beuiges also said that taking or vomiting lexative is presented as a legitimate way, but it actually increases the risk of heart disease.‘
According to the National Health Insurance Agency of France, in the country The second leading cause of premature death among 15- to 24-year-olds is eating disorders, especially among psychiatric disorders, with anorexia death rates that are more pronounced, making the severity of the problem more apparent.
call for control
Many said that the platforms are slowing to take action despite medical experts reporting such content.
As a strict measure, Buiges has advised some patients to completely erase their social media accounts, especially TikTok, according to him, ‘It may seem extremist, but the app is very dangerous until the youth are better informed.’
