Risk of Eating Disorders and Use of Social Networks in Female Gym-Goers in the City of Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: There are not many studies on prevalence and factors (use of social networks, for example) associated with eating disorders (ED) in Colombia. These types of studies in regular female gym-goers are of particular interest. Methods: The objective was to analyse the relationship between the risk of EDs and the use of social networks in 337 women between the ages of 15 and 30 who had been regularly going to the gym in the city of Medellín for four months or more. The type of study was quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional. Results: A total of 143 (47.5%) cases with a risk of EDs were identified. Statistically significant associations were found between the risk of eating disorders and some aspects of the use of social networks. Discussion: The possible association between ED, the use of social networks and certain personality characteristics and sociocultural beauty stereotypes are discussed. Conclusions: The findings point to an association between the use of social networks as a way to achieve self-image approval, abnormal eating attitudes and body satisfaction. This behaviour, added to other vulnerability factors, may increase the risk for the initiation or maintenance of an ED, particularly in the population using gyms and physical conditioning centres.