Observational study on the relationship between social media usage and Anorexia Nervosa; Insights from Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives/ Purpose

Over the decade social media usage has drastically increased and so is the pressure to have an ideal thin body. In the pursuit of an ideal body, many individuals especially teenagers and young adults develop an eating pathology. This study's main aim was to investigate the impact of social media on the development of Anorexia nervosa in medical students of Karachi and analyze the factors that increase the risk of development of Anorexia nervosa in them

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in Karachi. The study population comprised of 214 undergraduate MBBS students from Karachi, aged 18-24 years. Data was collected through an online questionnaire sent in the form of a Google form.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 20.48 ± 1.5 years. Female participation was more than male participation (179; 83.6% Vs. 35; 16.4%). Female participants were more prone to the development of Anorexia nervosa with a higher percentage of positive SCOFF scores (83%) as compared to the male participants, who had a lesser percentage of positive SCOFF scores (16%). Increased frequency of usage of social media increased the risk of development of Anorexia nervosa. The study findings also suggested a statistically significant relationship between increased usage of Instagram and development of Anorexia nervosa in the sample population.

Conclusions

In light of the above-listed results it was found that increased use of social media inculcates a drive for thinness among the consumers making them more vulnerable to eating pathologies like Anorexia nervosa. However further investigation is necessary in other sections of the society to reach a more concrete conclusion.