Does the Use of Short-form Video Platforms Increase the Occurrence of Eating Disorders in Adolescents? A Study Based on Sex Differences

Eating disorders, a common chronic condition among adolescesnts, show a strong positive correlation with individuals’ social media use. Nonetheless, research on how the use of emerging short-form video platforms affects adolescent eating disorders is relatively sparse. Therefore, we examine the relationship between short-form video platform use and eating disorders in adolescents, exploring the mediating roles of body image comparison, body dissatisfaction, and sex differences in this relationship. A total of 795 high school students (mean age = 14.66 ± 1.39 years, 451 girls) were surveyed in China using the Eating Attitudes Test as well as scales measuring short-form video platform use intensity, body image comparisons, and body dissatisfaction based on previously validated tools. Altogether, 9.2% of the sampled adolescents presented unsuitable eating behaviors, which suggested a risk of developing eating disorders. Further, we found significant positive associations among short-form video platform use, eating disorders, body image comparison, and body dissatisfaction. Additionally, one direct and three indirect paths showed a relationship between short-form video platform use and eating disorders. Short-form video platform use was more directly and closely related to eating disorders in boys and more indirectly related to eating disorders through body image comparisons in girls. These results validate relevant theories and provide suggestions on how to reduce eating disorders among adolescents.