Adolescents' Perceptions of Disordered Eating Behaviors, Influencing Factors, and Perceived Effects on Health and Well-Being.

OBJECTIVE

To explore adolescents' perceptions of disordered eating behaviors, influencing factors, and perceived effects on health and well-being.

DESIGN

Focus group discussions.

SETTING

Porto, Portugal.

PARTICIPANTS

80 adolescents aged 15-19 years.

PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Disordered eating behaviors.

ANALYSIS: Thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Factors influencing disordered eating behaviors include individual (including response to emotional status, body image, and self-perception), interpersonal (encompassing interactions with school peers and family, and health professionals), and social factors (namely social norms regarding beauty and their influences, such as social media). In terms of the impact of disordered eating, health implications such as malnutrition, obesity, and some cardiometabolic disorders were mentioned. Disordered eating behaviors, according to the adolescents' perspective, can also lead to guilt and depression and serve as a pathway to eating disorders. In addition, concerns about weight and body image were identified as contributing to social isolation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Findings highlight the complex interplay of factors shaping disordered eating behaviors in adolescents. Comparison with others, body image concerns, beauty standards, and social media emerged as key influencing factors, along with appearance-related comments. Future research could assess longitudinal social media effects, media literacy interventions, and explore gender-specific experiences across clinical and nonclinical settings.