BINGE EATING IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY PERCEPTION AND EATING BEHAVIORS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

Abstract

The growing use of social media amon young people has increased exposure to content related to diet, weight loss, physical appearance, and aesthetic standards. The circulation of idealized images, restrictive diets, content created by digital influencers, and algorithm-driven personalized recommendations can affect body perception and individuals' relationships with food. To analyze the influence of social media use on the development of binge eating and its relationship with body image perception among young people. This is a narrative literature review with a qualitative approach and descriptive nature. A bibliographic search was conducted using the SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, covering studies published between 2019 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish that addressed social media, body image, eating behavior, and binge eating. The analyzed studies demonstrated an association between exposure to content regarding appearance and diet, social comparison, body dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional eating behaviors. It was also found that digital influencers, body filters, and recommendation systems can amplify exposure to aesthetic standards and content concerning diets and weight loss. However, the findings indicate that binge eating is multifactorial in nature; therefore, it is inappropriate to attribute the development of this disorder solely to social media. Social media constitutes a significant component of the contemporary environment shaping young people's body image and eating behaviors. There is a need for integrated strategies involving food and nutrition education, media literacy, and health promotion, while considering the psychological, social, and cultural aspects involved in this relationship.