Self-Reported Total Screen Time and Viewing Modes Are Associated with Body Dissatisfaction, Disordered Eating, and Cosmetic Surgery Intentions among Young Adults

While numerous studies have shown that media exposure is linked to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behavior, limited research has examined these associations by screen-viewing mode. This study examined associations of total screen-time and screen-viewing modes with body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and cosmetic surgery intention among young adults. Men (n = 3466) and women (n = 7300), aged 19 to 34 years, self-reported their screen-time on various TV viewing modes, and their body dissatisfaction, overeating, disordered weight control behaviors, and cosmetic surgery intentions. We fit linear, logistic, and multivariate models to examine cross-sectional associations between total screen-time and screen-viewing modes and body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and cosmetic surgery intention. Handheld viewing was associated with body dissatisfaction for women only, and online viewing was associated with greater body dissatisfaction among both men (beta = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.65) and women (beta = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.40). Downloaded viewing was associated with higher odds of overeating behaviors among both men (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.40) and women (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.32), respectively. Although total screen time was associated with greater cosmetic surgery intention for both men (beta = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.39) and women (beta = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.58), sex differences were found for the viewing modes. Our results suggest that different viewing modes may be differently associated with men and women's body image, disordered eating behavior, and cosmetic surgery intention. Future research should consider all modes of screen-viewing in our media environment.