Impact of Social Media and Peer Pressure on Eating Behaviors of Adolescents: Social Media and Peer Pressure on Eating Behaviors

Maria Aslam; Jannat  Gull Khan; Gullnoor  Khan; Henna  Asif; Nafela  Atta; Aqsa  Rafique; Tuba  Tahir; Nabeera  Ahmed; Ayesha .

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v4i2.147

Authors

Maria Aslam University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Jannat Gull Khan University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Gullnoor Khan University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Henna Asif University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Nafela Atta University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Aqsa Rafique University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Tuba Tahir University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Nabeera Ahmed University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.
Ayesha . University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, UIDNS, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v4i2.147

Abstract

Social media is the site used everywhere around the world to interact and communicate with people. The most used social media networks include Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Social networks usage is negatively associated with the eating choices of students, and it has made lifestyle sedentary.Objectives: The main aim of the study was to determine how the use of social media is linked with the eating habits of students. The secondary objective was to determine how peer choices affected eating choices in students.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 university of Lahore students for period of 3 months ranging from 18 to 25 years. Information on how social media and peer pressure influence eating behaviors in students was collected using a questionnaire through purposive sampling technique.Results: The results revealed that the majority of participants were female i.e., 89% and 11% were male. About 43% participants were using Instagram, whereas about 70% participants were using cell phone before laying down. 39% participants were using internet for 10 hours while 30% participants for whole day. Majority 29% participant crave junk food while watching social media, and 74% participants consumed junk food with friends. Adolescents are influenced by peer pressure as 40% participants ate 3 meals and 24% participants ate 4 meals per day with friends.Conclusion: Social media and peer pressure has greatly affected the lifestyle and eating choices of students. Our youth has decreased enjoying healthy meals with family. Thus, future nutrition programs must focus on promoting healthy eating behavior among our youth.

References

Chung A, Vieira D, Donley T, Tan N, Jean-Louis G, Gouley KK, Seixas A. Adolescent Peer Influence on Eating Behaviors via Social Media: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2021 Jun 3;23(6):e19697.

https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.19697

Vaterlaus JM, Patten EV, Roche C, Young JA. # Gettinghealthy: The perceived influence of social media on young adult health behaviors. Computers in Human Behavior. 2015 Apr 1;45:151-7.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.013

Oyeboade JA. SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS, PEER PRESSURE AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA. Library Philosophy & Practice. 2017 Jan 1.

Domoff SE, Sutherland EQ, Yokum S, Gearhardt AN. Adolescents' addictive phone use: Associations with eating behaviors and adiposity. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020 Jan;17(8):2861.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082861

Lau WW. Effects of social media usage and social media multitasking on the academic performance of university students. Computers in human behavior. 2017 Mar 1;68:286-91.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.043

Kosek B. The influence of Instagram on exercise and eating behavior.

Sidani JE, Shensa A, Hoffman B, Hanmer J, Primack BA. The association between social media use and eating concerns among US young adults. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016 Sep 1;116(9):1465-72.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.03.021

Coates AE, Hardman CA, Halford JC, Christiansen P, Boyland EJ. Social media influencer marketing and children's food intake: a randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2019 Apr 1;143(4).

https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2554

Tayhan Kartal F, Yabancı Ayhan N. Relationship between eating disorders and internet and smartphone addiction in college students. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. 2021 Aug;26(6):1853-62.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-01027-x

Vaterlaus JM, Patten EV, Roche C, Young JA. # Gettinghealthy: The perceived influence of social media on young adult health behaviors. Computers in Human Behavior. 2015 Apr 1;45:151-7.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.12.013

Stok FM, De Vet E, de Ridder DT, de Wit JB. The potential of peer social norms to shape food intake in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review of effects and moderators. Health psychology review. 2016 Jul 2;10(3):326-40.

https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2016.1155161

Amaya-Hernández A, Alvarez-Rayón G, Ortega-Luyando M, Mancilla-Díaz JM. Peer influence in preadolescents and adolescents: A predictor of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. Revista mexicana de trastornos alimentarios. 2017 Jan 1;8(1):31-9.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmta.2016.12.001

König LM, Giese H, Stok FM, Renner B. The social image of food: Associations between popularity and eating behavior. Appetite. 2017 Jul 1;114:248-58.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.03.039

Barberis N, Gugliandolo MC, Costa S, Cannavò M. Healthy and binge eating behaviours: the motivational processes underlying peer pressure. Psychology, Health & Medicine. 2021 Apr 1:1-0.

https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2021.1903054

Al-Sheyab NA, Gharaibeh T, Kheirallah K. Relationship between peer pressure and risk of eating disorders among adolescents in Jordan. Journal of obesity. 2018 Sep 19;2018.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7309878

Tadena S, Kang SR, Kim SJ. The influence of social media affinity on eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction in Philippine adolescents. Child Health Nursing Research. 2020;26(1):121-9.

https://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2020.26.1.121

Sarcona A, Kovacs L, Wright J, Williams C. Differences in eating behavior, physical activity, and health-related lifestyle choices between users and nonusers of mobile health apps. American Journal of Health Education. 2017 Sep 3;48(5):298-305.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2017.1335630

Qutteina Y, Nasrallah C, Kimmel L, Khaled SM. Relationship between social media use and disordered eating behavior among female university students in Qatar. Journal of Health and Social Sciences. 2019;4(1):59-72.

Karmila S, Aritonang EY, Sudaryati E. The Relationship of the Duration of Social Media Instagram Usage and Student's Eating Behavior in University of Sumatera Utara, 2019. Britain International of Humanities and Social Sciences (BIoHS) Journal. 2020 Feb 29;2(1):289-95.

https://doi.org/10.33258/biohs.v2i1.190

Kabir A, Miah S, Islam A. Factors influencing eating behavior and dietary intake among resident students in a public university in Bangladesh: A qualitative study. PloS one. 2018 Jun 19;13(6):e0198801.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198801