Are celebrities using social media to promote eating disorders among teenage girls?

Are celebrities using social media to promote eating disorders among teenage girls?

It's that time of year again. January 2015; New Years, new selves and “celebrities” seem determined to make a living from nutritional supplements and “belly-busting DVDs,” but are they fueling eating disorders among teenagers?

As social media allows fans to get ever closer to their idols, it is almost impossible to escape the presence of media and body image. Teens' new idols are the stars of reality shows like Geordie Shore and Made in Chelsea. Using social media allows young girls (and boys) to keep track of all aspects of their lives. from her wardrobe to her eating habits. A constant daily reminder on social media that another TOWIE star has lost 2 dress sizes and is happier than ever using a new diet technique, or pictures of what supplements 'Vicky Pattison' is replacing her meal with. If you look at the profiles of these girls who "retweet" celebrities' nutritional secrets or thank these celebrities for the supplements they order, it is clear that many of these girls are under 18 years old.

During your teenage years, your body undergoes many changes during puberty and during this important transition period, it is essential to consume the right nutrients to thrive. Eating disorders can cause you to be underweight at this important time in your life and lead to lack of energy, nutrient deficiencies, a weakened immune system, delayed periods and damage to future fertility.

Having suffered from anorexia/bulimia nervosa in the past, I know the difference media can have on a young girl's eating habits. I suffered most of the time around the age of 13. I used to starve myself before I would binge eat and throw up. Exercising a lot also helps me keep my weight down, but I've also used this as an excuse for looking thin. My eating disorder was driven by the constant images I began to see of the perfect bikini body on the front of magazines, combined with my lack of self-esteem. Luckily, I managed to combat the condition on my own in about a year, and it wasn't until a few years later that I realized I had even suffered from an eating disorder. Now aged 20, considered a “normal weight” at 59kg, I am trying to exercise and lose a little weight, but this time by eating my 5 a day, replacing snacks with reduced calorie options and exercising more regularly.

When I see celebrities losing large amounts of weight in just a few months, I wonder if this is promoting extreme and often short-term weight loss solutions. A worrying idea given the teenagers who eagerly follow these stars. Instead, promoting a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise is crucial. The principles of a healthy diet should be adhered to. Especially if you eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, it's important to eat breakfast and base your meals on starchy carbohydrates. Additionally, joining a team sport can help teens lead an active, healthy lifestyle, improve social interaction, and develop personal skills.

With the age at which girls, in particular, becoming concerned about their appearance rapidly decreasing each year, it is important that we as a society teach from a young age that the importance of body image is not about looking good on the outside, but rather feeling good on the inside, both physically and mentally.

Inspired by Tamsin Amy Jones