Rising eating disorders among girls: Social media as a dangerous influence!

Rising eating disorders among girls: Social media as a dangerous influence!

World Eating Disorders Day will be celebrated on June 2, 2025 to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of eating disorders. The latest studies by the Kaufmännische Krankenkasse (KKH) in Germany show that the number of these serious illnesses in 12- to 17-year-old girls has increased dramatically in recent years. The KKH reported an increase of almost 50 percent between 2019 and 2023, meaning that the number of diagnoses for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating rose from 101 to 150 cases per 10,000 insured people. In comparison, the number of boys of the same age affected remained unchanged, increasing by just over 4 percent. Recent data highlights the alarming situation in society, which is increasingly affected by eating disorders. Girls in particular are more susceptible to the pressure to conform to beauty ideals in the social media age.

KKH psychologist Franziska Klemm highlights the influence of social media on body image and the development of eating disorders. Girls tend to compare themselves to others through social media, which leads to dissatisfaction. The digital world offers a wealth of content that can promote both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. There are numerous fitness and nutrition trends circulating on the Internet that are consumed unfiltered. This can put a lot of pressure on young people, and the narrowest path to a supposedly perfect body becomes the goal. Digital trends like the so-called “SkinnyTok” promote dangerous weight loss methods and contribute to the increasing obsession with perfection. According to web.de, additional statistics show that 33.6% of 14 to 17 year old girls show signs of disordered eating behavior.

The influence of social media

A variety of studies support the connection between social media use and the development of eating disorders. Teens who place a lot of value on likes and followers tend to restrict their food intake and are less satisfied with their bodies. As Zeit reports, many young people are in a critical phase of self-development in which biological processes and the need for social recognition play a role. Psychologist Katrin Giel from the University Hospital of Tübingen explains that social media can act as a trigger for problematic eating behavior, although there is no clear evidence of a direct cause.

The risks of developing eating disorders are particularly significant among girls and young women under the age of 19. Character traits such as anxiety and perfectionism increase susceptibility to these serious mental illnesses. It is also clear that the consumption of social media not only negatively affects body image, but also general eating behavior. It is essential to distinguish between a healthy lifestyle and a distorted self-perception. Studies show that quitting social media can even reduce eating disorder symptoms.

Education and support

In order to reduce the health complications associated with eating disorders, early education is necessary. Parents should educate their children about unhealthy beauty ideals and create a stable environment that strengthens young people's self-esteem. Counseling centers such as “Take care” and “femail” offer support for those affected, although it is also important to dispel the myth that eating disorders only occur in underweight people or go away on their own. The complex causes of these diseases require a comprehensive approach to both therapy and prevention.