Date on Honors Thesis
Fall 12-10-2025
Major
Nutrition and Dietetics
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Deanna Staskel, Advisor
Examining Committee Member
Lacey Latimer, Committee Member
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Matthew Hermes, Committee Member
Abstract/Description
Context: Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric illnesses wherein atypical patterns of eating induce harmful physical and psychosocial consequences. ED rates have increased globally in recent years, jumping from an estimated 3.5% to 7.8% between 2006 and 2018. ED onset typically occurs in adolescence and early adulthood and results from complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors. One such social factor is social media (SM) usage.
Research Design: The present quantitative study examines how measures of SM use (including use intensity, activity, personal perceptions of SM, and initial age of introduction to SM) relate to ED risk among rural university students. Data was collected through the distribution of a secure, online questionnaire.
Results: The results of this study suggest that weak correlational relationships exist between ED risk and SM use intensity (ρ = 0.27004, p = 0.00298, α = 0.05), SM activity (ρ = 0.21363, p = 0.01966, α = 0.05), and initial age of introduction to SM (ρ = -0.37707, p = 2.3677e-5, α = 0.05). Additionally, a moderate correlational relationship is present between perceptions of SM and ED risk (ρ = 0.51011, p = 3.107e-9, α = 0.05).
Conclusions: While this study found correlations between ED risk and all measures of SM use, further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these relationships.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Erin S., "Social media use and its association with eating-related attitudes and behaviors in rural university students" (2025). Honors College Theses. 303.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/303
Creative Commons License
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