Instagram-fueled beauty standards drive rise in eating disorders

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In today's digital age, the quest for perfection and un Ceasing self-improvement on social media platforms has become hugely popular. However, this relentless pursuit of physical and aesthetic perfection, often referred to as "Self-Improvement Obsession," has alarming health repercussions, particularly among young people, as revealed by a health insurance company. The number of cases of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating among girls aged 12 to 17 increased from 101 to 150 per 10,000 insured between 2019 and 2023, the KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse reported—an almost 50 percent increase, the highest in any group.

The blooming self-improvement scene and questionable ideals can lead to a significant drop in self-esteem and even psychological disorders such as eating disorders, the insurance company warned.

Constant Pressure Can Lead to Illness

"At a stage in life when one's own identity is not yet established, and self-esteem is often weakly developed, such excessive demands on one's appearance can become a significant burden," said KKH psychologist Franziska Klemm. She added a word of caution, "The more intensively social media is used, the greater the risk of dissatisfaction with one's own body and associated eating disorders."

The insurance company analyzed data from its own insured from 2019 to 2023. The basis was around 1.66 million KKH insured in 2023, including around 90,300 girls and boys aged 12 to 17. The KKH currently has around 1.5 million insured.

High Stress to Meet Beauty Standards

Girls are particularly vulnerable, according to the psychologist. They not only are directly addressed by such videos but also engage more with themselves than boys. They compare themselves more frequently on social media and feel a higher pressure to meet beauty standards. Furthermore, many are unaware that life on social media is usually staged. Though stars like supermodels or Hollywood actors seem unreachable, there is a sense of proximity in social media.

Among boys of the same age, the number of affected individuals remained almost static, with an increase of just over four percent, or 34 to 36 cases per 10,000 insured.

Among women aged 18 to 24, the insurance company reported an increase of 25.1 percent, with the total number of affected women rising by 10.4 percent. According to the insurance company's estimate, almost 460,000 people in Germany had a diagnosed eating disorder in 2023, with 7.5 percent being girls between the ages of 12 and 17.

Danger of Eating Disorders

In countless videos, slim women talk about their "journey to the ideal body," while a "virtual beauty police" criticizes beauty flaws like round, full faces ("cortisol face") or even overweight big toes ("toebesity"), the insurance company warned. "Awareness alone is not enough," emphasized Klemm. A more effective approach is promoting a positive self-image and strengthening critical engagement with beauty ideals: "This has been proven to protect against the development of an eating disorder."

According to Klemm, teenagers can do a lot themselves: "It's essential to recognize the disparity between idealized online representations and reality. In practical terms, that means going outside and observing how people truly are." And: A possible strategy could be using social networks more sensitively—that is, spending less time on them and taking social media breaks.

Insights:

The surge of "Self-Improvement Obsession" on social media, characterized by unrelenting narratives around body image, fitness, and lifestyle, intensifies eating disorders in young people by perpetuating unrealistic standards, fostering comparison, and commodifying health. This pattern develops in five key ways:

Curated Perfection and Unrealistic Standards: Social media pushes idealized, algorithmically promoted content that equates thinness or specific body types with moral virtue, creating a skewed reality where self-worth is tied to physical appearance, exacerbating body dissatisfaction.
Anonymity and Performance Over Authenticity: Platforms reward performance-oriented health behaviors, while discouraging vulnerability, leading users to internalize the perception of their bodies needing constant improvement.
Algorithmic Amplification of Harmful Content: Social media algorithms focus on engagement, often surfacing extreme dieting tips, pro-eating disorder communities, or weight-loss product advertisements, forming echo chambers that reinforce harmful behaviors under the guise of "wellness" or "discipline."
Erosion of Critical Health Literacy: Digital health interventions aim to improve literacy, but many social media trends lack scientific rigor, spreading misinformation about nutrition, detoxes, or quick fixes prioritizing aesthetics over holistic well-being.
Structural Barriers to Support: Though anonymous online communities offer a safe space for discussing stigmatized topics, the lack of proper moderation in eating disorder communities can normalize and reinforce unhealthy behaviors.

Combating "Self-Improvement Obsession" requires platform accountability, promoting body diversity, and integrating youth voices in health interventions to counter harmful narratives.

Rather than promoting 'Self-Improvement Obsession', community policies should prioritize mental health and prevention, providing resources to address the rise of eating disorders among youth.
Employment policies can optimize mental health support for their employees, particularly for younger demographics, offering resources and training on social media literacy and body image.
In 2023, science and health-and-wellness industries should focus on researching and addressing the impact of social media on self-esteem, mental health, and eating disorders, especially among youth.
Mental health organizations can collaborate with tech companies to institute social media policies that prioritize ethical content, with a particular focus on discouraging harmful discussions about weight loss, body image, and eating disorders.
Schools can integrate health and wellness education into their curricula, teaching critical thinking skills, promoting body positivity, and empowering students with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of social media and media literacy.