The use of passive social networking sites and restrictive eating behaviors among teenagers: a hierarchical mediation effect and gender differences

As the global population suffering from obesity continues to rise, and the demands for ideal body shapes become increasingly stringent, restrictive eating behaviors have become a common weight control strategy among people, especially teenagers. This has led to significant issues related to adolescent body image disorders and self-identity crises. A survey was conducted with 934 teenagers. The results show that: (1) active use of social networking sites significantly predicts restrictive eating behaviors among teenagers; (2) self-objectification and upward social comparison play roles as mediators and chains of mediation between the use of social networking sites and restrictive eating behaviors. (3) The chain…