Digital food environments and disordered eating among university students in Saudi Arabia: implications for nutrition equity and public health policy

This study explored the impact of social media use on dietary attitudes and disordered eating behaviors among university students. A cross-sectional study involving 509 students utilized validated questionnaires. Correlation and regression analyses identified key predictors of disordered eating. Social media use was significantly associated with eating disorder risk (β = 0.28, p < .01). Food insecurity (β = 0.22) and trust in online content (r = 0.37) were significant predictors, while health literacy was protective (β = −0.19, p < .05). Targeted nutrition education, digital media literacy, and promotion of sustainable diet policies are urgently needed to reduce risk.