Content analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on weight and shape control behaviors and social media content of U.S. adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Objective: The current study examines impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight/shape control behaviors among adolescents and young adults in the U.S., and perceived changes to related social media content.

Method: A sample of youth (14-24 years) from MyVoice, a national text-message-based cohort, provided open-ended responses to questions on changes in eating and exercise habits due to concern about weight/shape, and social media content related to weight/shape, during the pandemic. Responses were collected using a secure online platform and analyzed using content analysis.

Results: Among respondents (n = 939/1153, response rate = 81%), 40.0% adopted behaviors for the purpose of weight/shape control during the pandemic. Nearly half (49.2%) reported seeing posts about weight/shape on social media during the pandemic.

Discussion: Findings from this study indicate that weight/shape concerns among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. may have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with social media content as a potentially contributing factor.

Keywords: COVID-19; Dieting; Disordered eating; Pandemic; Social media; Weight/shape control behaviors.