Digital engagement profiles and binge eating symptoms in adolescents: A person-centred, longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND

Binge eating symptoms emerge in early adolescence and are clinically meaningful below diagnostic thresholds. Digital media engagement may be relevant, yet most studies rely on aggregate screen time and rarely separate patterns of use from addiction-like features. This study tested whether screen use profiles and social media addiction risk were associated with binge eating symptom indicators in a large longitudinal cohort.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study at Time 3 (T3; n = 10,465; ages 10-13 years) and Time 5 (T5; n = 9257; ages 12-16 years). Latent profile analysis of six screen modalities derived screen use profiles. Social media addiction risk was classified using the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire. Four binge eating symptom indicators were assessed at each wave using item-level data from the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Binomial logistic regression models tested associations, adjusting for sex, family conflict, and school environment.

RESULTS

Two profiles were supported: High Screen Usage (44.5%) and Low Screen Usage (55.5%). At T3, High Screen Usage and higher social media addiction risk were each associated with higher odds of all symptom indicators after adjustment. At T5, High Screen Usage remained associated with binge-related distress, binge eating behaviour, and recurrent binge eating, while social media addiction risk differentiated all four symptoms. Family conflict showed the strongest associations, whereas a more positive school environment was associated with lower odds of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher overall screen engagement and addiction-like social media use were independently associated with binge eating symptoms across early to mid-adolescence. Social media addiction risk showed more consistent symptom differentiation than screen use profiles, suggesting engagement quality may be more clinically informative than duration.