THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE BEHAVIOURS ON BULIMIA NERVOSA: A SCOPING REVIEW OF MODERN AND HOMOEOPATHIC PERSPECTIVES
Main Article Content
Keywords
Bulimia nervosa, social media, Online behaviours, Eating disorders, Homoeopathic treatment, Cognitive-behavioural therapy,
Abstract
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting. The prevalence of BN has been increasing, partly due to the pervasive influence of social media and online behaviours. The interaction between these digital influences and mental health, particularly eating disorders, has gained significant research attention. This review aims to explore the relationship between social media, online behaviours, and the development of bulimia nervosa, with a focus on both modern and homoeopathic treatment approaches. Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the impact of social media and online behaviours on the incidence and management of bulimia nervosa, incorporating both modern medicine and homoeopathic perspectives.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant studies on social media, online behaviours, and bulimia nervosa. Studies that discussed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches for BN, as well as the role of digital platforms, were included. Data were synthesized qualitatively to highlight key trends in the interaction between online behaviour and BN. Both modern medicine and homoeopathic treatment strategies were evaluated.
Results: The findings suggest a significant correlation between exposure to social media platforms, particularly those promoting unrealistic body standards, and the onset of bulimia nervosa symptoms. Online behaviours, such as the consumption of "thinspiration" content and participation in pro-eating disorder communities, exacerbate the condition. Modern medical treatments primarily focus on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and pharmacological interventions, while homoeopathic treatments emphasize individualized care using remedies such as Ignatia Amara and Natrum muriaticum. Both treatment modalities show promise, but further research is needed to better integrate them.
Conclusion: Social media and online behaviours play a critical role in the development and exacerbation of bulimia nervosa. Modern and homoeopathic treatment approaches both offer viable options for managing the disorder, though each has its limitations. An integrated approach may offer the best outcomes for patients. Further studies are needed to explore the synergistic potential of combining modern and homoeopathic treatments.
References
2. Fardouly, J., & Vartanian, L. R. (2016). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 9, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.005
3. Griffiths, S., Murray, S. B., Krug, I., & McLean, S. A. (2018). The contribution of social media to body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, and anabolic steroid use among sexual minority men. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 21(3), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2017.0375
4. Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.02.008
5. Lewallen, J., & Behm-Morawitz, E. (2016). Pinterest or Thinterest?: Social comparison and body image on social media. Social Media + Society, 2(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305116640559
6. Mabe, A. G., Forney, K. J., & Keel, P. K. (2014). Do you “like” my photo? Facebook use maintains eating disorder risk. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 47(5), 516523. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22254
7. Perloff, R. M. (2014). Social media effects on young women’s body image concerns: Theoretical perspectives and an agenda for research. Sex Roles, 71(11-12), 363-377.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-014-0384-6
8. Saunders, J. F., & Eaton, A. A. (2018). Snaps, selfies, and shares: How gender, race, and sexual orientation shape mental health in the social media age. Sex Roles, 80(11-
12), 731-744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-0968-2
9. Slater, A., & Tiggemann, M. (2015). Media exposure, extracurricular activities, and the development of eating disorder symptomatology in middle adolescent girls. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44(8), 1580-1596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0248-3
10. Tiggemann, M., & Slater, A. (2014). NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 47(6), 630-643. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22368
11. Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2017). The relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance-focused activities and body image concerns in young women. Body Image, 23, 183-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.10.002
12. Hogue, J. V., & Mills, J. S. (2019). The effects of active social media engagement with peers on body image in young women. Body Image, 28, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.11.002
13. Cohen, R., & Blaszczynski, A. (2015). Comparative effects of Facebook and conventional media on body image dissatisfaction. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-015-0061-3
14. Stapleton, J. L., Luiz, G., & Chatwin, H. (2017). The relationship between engaging in health social media and eating disorder risk in women. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(9), 1047-1051. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22749
15. Fioravanti, G., Dèttore, D., & Casale, S. (2020). Adolescent internet addiction: Testing the association between self-esteem, the perception of internet attributes, and preferences for online social interactions. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 23(10), 748-752. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0741
16. Casale, S., & Fioravanti, G. (2018). Why do people play video games? Testing the presence of the positive, negative, and compulsory aspects of video game use. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1863. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01863
17. Vries, D. A., Peter, J., Nikken, P., & De Graaf, H. (2014). The effect of social network site use on appearance investment and desire for cosmetic surgery among adolescent boys and girls. Sex Roles, 71(9-10), 283-295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-01404126
18. Rodgers, R. F., Lowy, A. S., Halperin, D. M., & Franko, D. L. (2016). A meta-analysis examining the influence of pro-eating disorder websites on body image and eating pathology. Journal of Eating Disorders, 4(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s403370160110-1
19. Griffiths, S., Murray, S. B., & Touyz, S. (2015). Disordered eating and the role of social media among adolescent and young adult males: A review of the literature. Eating Disorders, 23(3), 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2015.1003643
20. Tiggemann, M., & Miller, J. (2010). The Internet and adolescent girls’ weight satisfaction and drive for thinness. Sex Roles, 63(1-2), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9789-z
21. Meier, E. P., & Gray, J. (2014). Facebook photo activity associated with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. Cyberpsychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking, 17(4), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0305
22. Brown, Z., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). Attractive celebrity and peer images on Instagram:
Effect on women's mood and body image. Body Image, 19, 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2016.08.007
23. Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 13, 38-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.12.002
24. Slater, A., Varsani, N., & Diedrichs, P. C. (2017). #Fitspiration on Instagram: A content analysis of gendered images. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(10), 1164-1172. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316629627
25. Tiggemann, M., & Zaccardo, M. (2015). “Exercise to be fit, not skinny”: The effect of fitspiration imagery on women’s body image. Body Image, 15, 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.06.003
26. de Vries, D. A., & Kühne, R. (2015). Facebook and self-perception: Individual susceptibility to negative social comparison on Facebook. Personality and Individual Differences, 86, 217-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.05.029
27. Cohen, R., Newton-John, T., & Slater, A. (2017). The relationship between Facebook and Instagram appearance-focused activities and body image concerns in young women. Body Image, 23, 183-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Tejas Shah Pankajkumar
PG Scholar, Department Of Homoeopathic Philosophy & Organon Of Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University ) Homoeopathic Medical College, Pune, 411043.
Dr. Sushma Suresh Manhas
Head Of The Department, Department Of Homoeopathic Philosophy & Organon Of Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University ) Homoeopathic Medical College, Pune, 411043.