Prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder and its association with social media use among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and to explore its association with social media usage among high school students in Abha city, Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the selected public high schools in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from March 12, 2023 to March 17, 2023. A total of 346 (36%) students were worried about how their look. The most areas of concern included their nose shape and size (26.7%), having acne (19.1%), abdomen shape (18.6%), and their weight (18.2%). Female students showed 3.5 times more likelihood for perceived BDD than males (OR = 3.52; 95% CI: 2.13–5.83), while non-Saudi showed 74% more likelihood for perceived BDD than Saudi students (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02–2.99). BDD is common in Saudi Arabia. Certain demographics were associated with BDD in our study such as female gender and non-Saudi Arabian nationality. The results emphasize the need for safe social networking, particularly among teenagers, and for public education about the dangers of borderline personality disorder and its effects.