THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BODY IMAGE AND EATING BEHAVIOUR AMONG MALAYSIAN ADULTS

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of social media use on body image and eating behaviour and examined the gender differences in body image and eating behaviour among Malaysian adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 150 Malaysian adults using validated measures, including the Social Media Use Scale (SMUS), the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 (TFEQ-R18), to assess social media engagement, body image, and eating behaviours. Analysis revealed weak negative correlations between social media use and body image, as well as between social media use and eating behaviour. Additionally, significant gender differences were identified in both body image and eating behaviours. These findings highlight the nuanced yet significant relationships between social media use, body image, and eating behaviour among Malaysian adults, with clear gender disparities. The results underscore the need for gender-responsive interventions aimed at fostering positive body image and promoting healthy eating practices, particularly in the context of growing social media exposure.