Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation
Abstract
Background: Social media plays a crucial role in shaping body image perceptions and health behaviors, particularly during emerging adulthood—a critical period when individuals establish lifelong health habits. Unhealthy weight management behaviors (UWMB) are gaining attention as they stem from a complex interplay of structural (e.g., social norms) and personal (e.g., body image) factors. Emerging adults are particularly vulnerable to social pressures and media influences, leading to a high prevalence of UWMB in this population. Given social media’s role in shaping body image norms and health behaviors, understanding its influence on UWMB is crucial. As a preliminary step toward investigating this influence, this study aimed to explore the conceptual and operational definitions of UWMB and analyze the types of social media that emerging adults are exposed to in relation to UWMB.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The PICO-SD framework guided the search strategy across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) for studies published between 2014 and 2023. Study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024542028).
Results: Nine studies were included. Definitions of UWMB varied encompassing behaviors such as excessive exercise, substance use, surgical interventions, calorie-counting obsession, and binge eating, revealing inconsistencies in conceptualization and measurement. Social media types were classified using Kaplan and Haenlein’s (2010) framework, identifying three main types: SNS platforms, content communities, and blogs/microblogs. SNS platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) were most common (n=6, 66.7%), followed by content communities (e.g., diet/fitness apps, YouTube, TikTok) (n=4, 44.4%), and blogs/microblogs (e.g., X, formerly Twitter) (n=1, 11.1%).
Conclusions: A consensus on the theoretical definition of UWMB, a critical issue among emerging adults, is proposed, along with a call for comprehensive research on measurement tools. As diverse types of social media can influence UWMB, further research should adopt a multi-platform approach rather than focusing on a single medium.
Notes
References:
Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
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.
Neumark-Sztainer, D., Wall, M., Larson, N. I., Eisenberg, M. E., & Loth, K. (2011). Dieting and disordered eating behaviors from adolescence to young adulthood: Findings from a 10-year longitudinal study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(7), 1004–1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2011.04.012.
Rounsefell, K., Gibson, S., McLean, S., Blair, M., Molenaar, A., Brennan, L., Truby, H., & McCaffrey, T. A. (2020). Social media, body image and food choices in healthy young adults: A mixed methods systematic review. Nutrition and Dietetics, 77(1), 19–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12581.
Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business horizons, 53(1), 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Systematic Review
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Social Media Use, Health Risk Behaviors, Body Weight, Body Dissatisfaction, Young Adults
Recommended Citation
Kang, Chaehyeon; Lee, Hyeonkyeong; Lee, Hyeyeon; Hwang, Gahui; Lee, Jisu; Sun, Hyemi; and Ibrahim, Zainab Auwalu, "Unhealthy Weight Management Behavior and Social Media in Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 212.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/212
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Unhealthy Weight Management Behavior and Social Media in Emerging Adults: A Systematic Review
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Social media plays a crucial role in shaping body image perceptions and health behaviors, particularly during emerging adulthood—a critical period when individuals establish lifelong health habits. Unhealthy weight management behaviors (UWMB) are gaining attention as they stem from a complex interplay of structural (e.g., social norms) and personal (e.g., body image) factors. Emerging adults are particularly vulnerable to social pressures and media influences, leading to a high prevalence of UWMB in this population. Given social media’s role in shaping body image norms and health behaviors, understanding its influence on UWMB is crucial. As a preliminary step toward investigating this influence, this study aimed to explore the conceptual and operational definitions of UWMB and analyze the types of social media that emerging adults are exposed to in relation to UWMB.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The PICO-SD framework guided the search strategy across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) for studies published between 2014 and 2023. Study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024542028).
Results: Nine studies were included. Definitions of UWMB varied encompassing behaviors such as excessive exercise, substance use, surgical interventions, calorie-counting obsession, and binge eating, revealing inconsistencies in conceptualization and measurement. Social media types were classified using Kaplan and Haenlein’s (2010) framework, identifying three main types: SNS platforms, content communities, and blogs/microblogs. SNS platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) were most common (n=6, 66.7%), followed by content communities (e.g., diet/fitness apps, YouTube, TikTok) (n=4, 44.4%), and blogs/microblogs (e.g., X, formerly Twitter) (n=1, 11.1%).
Conclusions: A consensus on the theoretical definition of UWMB, a critical issue among emerging adults, is proposed, along with a call for comprehensive research on measurement tools. As diverse types of social media can influence UWMB, further research should adopt a multi-platform approach rather than focusing on a single medium.
Description
This systematic review examines the conceptual and operational definitions of UWMB and the types of social media exposed to emerging adults in relation to UWMB. Findings highlight the need for a standardized theoretical definition of UWMB. As diverse types of social media can influence UWMB, future studies should adopt a multi-platform approach rather than focusing on a single medium.