Social Media Consumption and Risk of Addiction Associated with Adolescent Disordered Eating Behaviour: An Observational Analysis

Objectives: To examine the association between social media (SM) use and content exposure with the risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) among adolescents. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted using a structured questionnaire incorporating validated scales. The instrument assessed quantitative and qualitative variables related to eating habits, SM usage, self-esteem, and body image. The sample comprised students aged 12–17 years from a school in Córdoba, Spain. Results: A total of 115 students participated in the study. Among them, 43.5% were identified as being at risk of developing EDs. Of this subgroup, 54.0% were female, with male gender appearing as a protective factor against ED risk. A significant association was found between increased hours of SM use and higher ED risk, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03–14.33). Conclusions: The findings suggest that low self-esteem and negative body image are key factors associated with increased ED risk, and that SM may act as an amplifying influence. Preventive interventions should focus on enhancing self-esteem and fostering critical and conscious engagement with SM among adolescents to mitigate the development of eating disorders.