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Published On: Feb 3, 2025|Categories: Eating Disorder Information|

There’s no denying that teens spend a lot of time online — in fact, research has shown that teens spend an average of 7-9 hours a day on their devices, with 46% online “almost constantly.” It has been proven that this reflects negatively on their mental health, but how, specifically speaking?

Numerous specific effects exist, but in particular we have been seeing an uptick in disordered eating habits as a result of influencers who promote unhealthy eating trends, diets and an overall disordered view of body image. 

What trends should I look out for?

As a parent, you want to make sure your child is well cared for — physically and emotionally. But that can be so challenging in today’s world where teens are influenced so heavily from the content they encounter online. 

TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and the like all have ways of engaging teens in behaviors that are not only harmful to their brains, but, when the trends touch on eating habits, are harmful to their bodies. It is important to know what to look for in these situations, as disordered eating can sometimes come across as “what’s trendy.”

Mukbang trend 

According to one source, “‘Mukbang,’ which is a term that originated in South Korea and translates to “eating shows,” involves content creators posting videos, sometimes more than an hour long, of themselves eating mostly junk food. In some instances, they take on exorbitant amounts.”

Another source says, “…the word has become even more popular by YouTube and TikTok content creators using the term more loosely with their casual “eat with me” and “have a meal with me” videos that have more average-sized meals. By mid-August, there were over 4 million videos on TikTok with the mukbang hashtag.”

A number of issues arise with this trend — first and foremost, it could encourage viewers to eat exorbitant amounts of nutrient-lacking food in one setting; or, it could give those with a restrictive disorder a sense of eating without actually sustaining their bodies. 

Further, it could promote an unhealthy relationship with exercise — some Mukbang influencers exercise for excessive amounts of time a day to compensate for eating so much food, and this behavior is one teens may adopt as well. 

“What I Eat In A Day” videos 

These videos, posted by many kinds of influencers including athletes, models, dermatologists and personal trainers, are videos that, quite literally, show them preparing and enjoying the meals they have throughout their days.

People may enjoy watching these for recipe ideas or meal inspiration, but they can be dangerous for teens for various reasons, including: 

  • They may increase anxiety about one’s diet habits and lead teens to question and overthink their dietary choices;
  • They may be giving nutritional advice from those who are not qualified to give it;
  • They may not be realistic expressions of what these people actually eat, but only a small snippet into a meal or two they consume during the entire week;
  • They perpetuate the idea that there is only one proper way to eat and don’t take into consideration various needs of unique individuals; 
  • They may be triggering for those who are in recovery for an eating disorder;
  • They may harm self-esteem and confidence in one’s eating choices, and instead promote unhealthy dieting/eating. 

It is important that this kind of content is watched with a grain of salt — consider reminding your teen that each body is different, requiring different nutritional parameters, and comparing themselves to a video of what a celebrity eats is not realistic or healthy. 

How can I promote healthy eating?

It’s true that there are influencers online who promote healthy and balanced eating, as well as solid exercise content. So not all social media content about food and exercise is bad. 

But the risk is real and the influence is strong. 

Therefore, it’s important as a parent to foster healthy eating habits in your teen. You can do this in a number of ways, including: 

  • Teaching them about nutrition and discussing the concept of a balanced diet and how different foods can provide the energy and nutrients necessary for their growth and development.
  • Encouraging your teen to critically evaluate the information they encounter by discussing how social media influencers may not always have the credentials to provide dietary advice, and highlight the potential dangers of following extreme dieting trends.
  • Modeling healthy eating habits by making a conscious effort to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins in your meal, as well as showing enthusiasm for trying new foods and preparing meals at home, which can foster a positive attitude towards healthy eating.
  • Involving your teen in the meal planning and preparation process to increase their interest in healthy eating;
  • Teaching your teen the principles of mindful eating, such as paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, eating slowly and savoring each bite. 

It is important to share the knowledge that food is meant to nourish and energize the body, rather than something to be restricted or feared. 

Does your teen need additional support?

If you are seeking more help for your teen, Seeds of Hope is here to help. Contact our offices anytime.

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