In June 2017 researchers from the UK published the results of their study to assess the links between social media use, in particular Instagram, and symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating). An online survey was undertaken of 680 social media users who followed healthy eating sites. Their social media use, eating behaviours, and orthorexia nervosa symptoms were assessed. Results showed that a higher Instagram usage was associated with a higher incidence of orthorexia nervosa. There was also a small association between Twitter and orthorexia symptoms. BMI and age did not appear to be associated with the condition. Symptoms of orthorexia nervosa were present in 49% of the individuals studied, which is significantly higher than the general population.
Turner PG, Lefevre CE. Instagram use is linked to increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord. 2017 Jun;22(2):277-284.