754 - An Examination of Peer Initiated Virtual Support Systems for Those with Disordered Eating

Publication Number: 754.3628

Mary Lowance, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Bayside, NY, United States; Grace Liberatore, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Pelham, NY, United States; Julian Franco, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, West Babylon, NY, United States; Ruth Milanaik, Cohen Children's Medical Center, Great Neck, NY, United States

Background: Research suggests 22% of children and adolescents struggle with disordered eating, which can stem from sensory issues, fear of foods, fear of weight change and body image issues, and other mental health factors. Common diagnoses related to disordered eating include Anorexia, Bulimia, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A new type of content has emerged on social media where creators invite viewers to “eat with them” by watching their video to help viewers get over fear foods (FF), everyday foods that are triggering/cause anxiety, or discuss their personal experience with an eating disorder (ED).

Objective: This study investigates the type of content in this category of videos and how many users it reaches.

Design/Methods: Videos were collected from Tiktok using searches such as “fear food,” “eat with me if you’re struggling,” and “ARFID awareness” (Table 1). Data was collected on creator gender, age, diagnosis, recovery status, if they were eating a safe food (SF) or FF, and if a follower asked them to try their own FF for support. It was also noted if the creator discussed coping strategies that helped them navigate their condition and relationship with food. Data was analyzed in R.

Results: 80 videos were analyzed (mean likes: 90,424; mean views: 745,989). Majority (80%, n=63) of creators were women. Ages ranged from young children to adults. Common diagnoses of creators include ASD, Anorexia, and ARFID (Figure 1). Of the creators with EDs, 82% (n=29) were in recovery, and 17% (n=6) were still struggling with a disorder. Of the videos, 68% (n=45) tried a FF (either their own or per viewer request), 16% (n=13) tried a SF, and 16% (n=13) invited viewers to “eat with them” or discuss their relationship with food without focusing on their comfort level with the food eaten on screen. Creators ate a FF requested by a viewer in 20% (n=16) of the videos. Creators discussed coping strategies and gave advice on how to approach eating with their condition in 48% (n=38) of videos.

Conclusion(s): These videos provide adolescents struggling with ED a network to talk to, role models to look up to who share their condition, and are accessible online. Support for food-related exposure therapy and social networks during recovery is growing, and this new virtual content could yield similar therapeutic benefits. The efficacy of viewing these videos to supplement treatment in adolescent populations must be studied/compared to current ED interventions. Therapeutic organizations should work with content creators to create AAP approved content to help adolescents who suffer.

Table 1. Video Statistics Sorted by Keyword Search or Search Phrase
* Note. Tiktok censors any phrase or abbreviation referencing a triggering topic. Creators use hashtags with “edd” as a loophole to refer to “ed” short for “eating disorder” to relate to other people in recovery and make content about their eating disorder.

Figure 1. Creator Diagnoses


Figure 2. Examples of “Eat With Me” Videos on TikTok


Table 1. Video Statistics Sorted by Keyword Search or Search Phrase
* Note. Tiktok censors any phrase or abbreviation referencing a triggering topic. Creators use hashtags with “edd” as a loophole to refer to “ed” short for “eating disorder” to relate to other people in recovery and make content about their eating disorder.

Figure 1. Creator Diagnoses


Figure 2. Examples of “Eat With Me” Videos on TikTok