Children aged 9 to 11 in the United States who have more screen time are more likely to develop Binge Eating Disorder (BED) a year later, the study concluded – and social media is the main culprit.
Every hour spent on social media was associated with a 62% higher risk of binge eating disorder a year later, while every hour spent watching television or movies was associated with a 39% higher risk, the study found.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by short, recurring episodes of high food consumption – or binge eating – often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control. People suffering from BEDs typically feel anguish or guilt after the binge, the researchers said.
But some common hobbies related to the screen can pave the way for earlier diagnoses.
“Watching television compulsively can lead to binge eating behaviors due to excessive consumption and loss of control,” Nagata said in the press release.
This excessive consumption, in partnership with social networks – which can cause a negative body image in children, says the statement – can create conditions for binge eating.
While previous research had examined associations between screen time and overeating or overeating without thinking, Dr. Natalie D. Muth, president of the Obesity Section at the American Academy of Pediatrics, told CNN that the new study looks specifically at binge eating.
Still, she said, it is important to recognize that this study points to an association – not causality.
“It is not clear whether screen time really causes binging,” she said. “It may be that there is something else – perhaps depression or boredom – that is leading to both behaviors.”
Pandemic requires more screen time
“The Covid-19 pandemic caused children to spend a lot of time on screens, both for school and entertainment, due to a large gap in extracurricular activities,” said Muth.
She said the American Academy of Pediatrics has seen an increase in obesity and eating disorders since the emergence of Covid-19, raising concerns among experts about the post-pandemic consequences.
“As soon as we overcome this pandemic, we will be dealing with the mental health consequences of children and adolescents for a while,” she said. “Part of this will be related to addictive behaviors during screen time and eating problems, including binge eating.”
But parents can be proactive
The pandemic has encouraged prolonged screen-based behaviors, and has often demanded this through online education. But parents can look for strategies to reduce risks to a minimum.
Muth recommends scheduling meals and snacks as much as possible, with limited distractions. She said that parents should not allow, or strongly discourage, eating while on a screen or device.
Sleep is also important, said Muth, since intense eating behaviors tend to occur later in the evening. She recommends no screen time within an hour before bed. Parents can ban devices in children’s rooms for this purpose, she said.
It is important for parents to model healthy relationships with food and also practice these tips.
But if parents notice their children’s behaviors, Muth said, they can talk to them openly to better understand what’s going on – and seek help if they worry that their children’s eating habits have gotten out of hand.
Although the study was conducted before the Covid-19 outbreak, its findings are timely and highlight the need for more research on the correlations between screen time and adolescent well-being, the statement said.