Use of social networking sites and desire for slimness among 10‐year‐old girls and boys: A population‐based birth cohort study

Objective Desire for slimness (DS) is a well‐established risk factor for eating disorders among adolescents, particularly girls. It is known that exposure to traditional media such as television can increase DS. However, the association between DS and the use of new media, such as social networking sites (SNS), adjusting for relevant potential confounders, has not been examined to‐date. In this study, we assessed the relationship between DS and SNS use among early adolescent girls and boys, adjusting for body mass index (BMI), time spent watching television, and Internet use. Method DS, SNS use, and confounding variables were assessed using self‐report questionnaires and face‐to‐face interviews from a cross‐sectional population‐based survey of 4,478 10‐year‐old Japanese adolescents (2,100 girls and 2,378 boys). Results After adjusting for confounding variables, SNS use was associated with increased risk of DS among girls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–3.18, p = .010), but not among boys (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.64–1.80, p = .786). Discussion Exposure to SNS was associated with an increased risk of DS among early adolescents, especially girls. Targeting SNS use in early adolescence seems a promising approach to prevention of DS and subsequent eating problems, particularly among girls.