Social media use body dissatisfaction and eating disorder risk among college students in West Bengal India from a gender perspective

Background Social media has intensified social comparison tendencies among the youth, with viral hashtags such as #fitspiration and #glowup, fuelling body dissatisfaction and guilt associated with food consumption. This dissatisfaction, in turn, can drive individuals towards extreme dieting behaviours and put them at risk of developing eating disorders that compromise both physical and mental health. Methods This study examined the impact of social media on body dissatisfaction and the risk of developing eating disorders among college students in West Bengal, India. An online questionnaire was circulated via social media platforms using purposive sampling. The Body Shape Questionnaire and Eating Attitudes Test were employed to assess body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns, respectively. Results Among 301 respondents, 12.3% demonstrated high risk for developing eating disorders. Body dissatisfaction was significantly associated with photo editing practices and preoccupation with likes received on social media posts. Disordered eating behaviours were more common among women, particularly those engaged in photo editing or demonstrating heightened concern about social media validation. Awareness of viral social media challenges emerged as a significant predictor of both body dissatisfaction and eating disorder risk, with women showing greater vulnerability. Conclusion Social media exposure negatively influences body image perceptions and elevates the risk of disordered eating behaviours, with women experiencing disproportionate effects. These findings underscore the need for interventions addressing social media's impact on mental health. Future research should investigate rural-urban disparities in these patterns, while social media platforms could be utilised to promote body positivity and healthier body image narratives.