The spread of body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards on social media platforms has been a growing concern in recent years, with TikTok being at the forefront of this issue. According to Amber Johnson, a British Psychological Society-accredited psychologist, the platform is criticized for spreading misinformation that can exacerbate mental health issues related to eating disorders.
A study by The Guardian found that videos on TikTok may worsen distress in struggling users, making them feel like failures when tips don't deliver results. This perpetuates the cycle of self-criticism and negative body image, which can lead to severe consequences such as cardiac arrest, infertility, and suicidal behavior.
The two main sub-types of anorexia nervosa, Restricting type and Binge-eating or purging type, have severe physical symptoms, including hormonal imbalances such as irregular periods, loss of libido, and infertility. The Restricting type is the most common form, where individuals severely limit their food intake, leading to poor circulation, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, heart failure, and low iron levels.
The consequences of eating disorders are severe and far-reaching, making it essential for social media platforms like TikTok to take responsibility for promoting positive body image and preventing the spread of misinformation that can exacerbate mental health issues.