Social Networking Site Use and Restricted Eating Among College Students

Abstract

Use of social networking sites and dieting seem to have become common phenomena in our lives, and the pursuit of appearance and self-focus play an important role in this. Using sociocultural theory and social comparison theory we explored the relationship between social networking site use and restricted eating, as well as the mediating role of appearance perfectionism and the moderating role of self-focus. We surveyed 1,252 college students in China. The results were as follows: (a) Social networking site use had a positive predictive effect on college students' restricted eating, (b) appearance perfectionism played a mediating role between social networking site use and restricted eating among college students, and (c) self-focus played a negative moderating role between appearance perfectionism and restricted eating among college students. The results have revealed factors influencing restricted eating in a college student population, which may provide inspiration for the treatment of disordered eating.