Influência dos conteúdos pró-anorexia disseminados pelas mídias sociais no desenvolvimento de comportamentos da anorexia nervosa: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Social media (SM) users are exposed daily to various types of content, including materials that portray a thin body as a symbol of success and encourage calorie-deficit diets and excessive physical exercise. Such exposure may contribute to the development of behaviors characteristic of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to analyze the influence of pro-anorexia content disseminated on social media on the development of behaviors characteristic of anorexia nervosa. This integrative literature review was conducted through the CAPES Journal Portal using the Medline and PubMed databases. The search employed the descriptors “Social Media,” “Anorexia Nervosa,” and “Behavior,” selecting articles published between 2020 and 2024. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies comprised the final sample. The results indicated that frequent exposure to pro-anorexia content is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, heightened restrictive eating practices, and the adoption of compulsive or purging behaviors. It was observed that digital platform algorithms intensify the circulation of such material, reinforcing extreme thinness ideals and promoting cycles of social comparison, self-criticism, and low self-esteem. The study concludes that pro-anorexia content represents an important risk factor for the emergence of anorexia nervosa behaviors, emphasizing the need for educational interventions, media literacy, and prevention strategies aimed at promoting healthy use of social networks. Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Social media. Pro-anorexia content. Eating behavior. Body image.