Social media platforms are suspected to derive hefty profits from youth users who may be vulnerable to negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Platforms, however, are not required to make these data publicly available, which may limit the abilities of researchers and policymakers to adequately investigate and regulate platform practices. This study aimed to estimate the number of U.S.-based child (0–12 years old) and adolescent (13–17 years old) users and the annual advertising revenue generated from youth across six major platforms. Data were drawn from public survey and market research sources conducted in 2021 and 2022. A simulation analysis was conducted to derive estimates of the number of users and the annual advertising revenue per age group and overall (ages 0–17 years) for 2022. The findings reveal that, across six major social media platforms, the 2022 annual advertising revenue from youth users ages 0–17 years is nearly $11 billion. Approximately 30–40% of the advertising revenue generated from three social media platforms is attributable to young people. Our findings highlight the need for greater transparency from social media platforms as well as regulation of potentially harmful advertising practices that may exploit vulnerable child and adolescent social media users.

There is currently considerable attention directed to identifying promising interventions to reduce consumption of sugars among populations around the world. A review of systematic reviews was conducted to identify gaps in the evidence on such interventions. Medline, EMBASE CINAHL, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to identify systematic reviews published in English from January 2005 to May 2017 and considering research on interventions to reduce sugar intake. Twelve systematic reviews that considered price changes, interventions to alter the food available within specific environments, and health promotion and education programs were examined. Each of the identified reviews focused on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). The existing literature provides some promising indications in terms of the potential of interventions to reduce SSB consumption among populations. However, a common thread is the limited scope of available evidence, combined with the heterogeneity of methods and measures used in existing studies, which limits conclusions that can be reached regarding the effectiveness of interventions. Reviewed studies typically had limited follow-up periods, making it difficult to assess the sustainability of effects. Further, there is a lack of studies that address the complex context within which interventions are implemented and evaluated, and little is known about the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Identified gaps speak to the need for a more holistic approach to sources of sugars beyond SSBs, consensus on measures and methods, attention to the implementation of interventions in relation to context, and careful monitoring to identify intended and unintended consequences.

The promotion of harmful dieting-related products, including weight-loss, muscle-building, and cleanse/detox supplements, is pervasive across TikTok. Use of these products has been associated with eating pathology, and in some instances, increased risk of an eating disorder diagnosis. To inform eating disorders prevention and public health intervention, a content analysis was conducted to analyze the promotional features of the most viewed videos as of June 2022 in the U.S. across popular dieting product-related hashtags (#dietpills, #preworkout, #detox) (N = 233 videos). Investigators watched and coded videos using a codebook that captured details about featured individuals, product claims and details, and other video elements (e.g., language, use of popular music). Descriptive statistics were obtained to analyze trends within and across product hashtags. A total of 78 #dietpills, 86 #preworkout, and 69 #detox videos met study criteria. Videos promoting weight-loss and cleanse/detox products overwhelmingly featured feminine-presenting (70.5 % and 71 %, respectively) and thin (35.9 % and 44.9 %) individuals, while #preworkout video subjects were mostly masculine-presenting (73.3 %) and muscular (61.6 %). Most did not disclose their credentials (93.6 %) nor identify whether the promotion of the product was sponsored by the retailer (95.7 %). The vast majority of videos (97 %) did not provide any scientific evidence to support health- and appearance-related claims. The most popular videos promoting dieting-related supplements on TikTok overwhelmingly make unsubstantiated health claims, posing substantial risks for social media users who are vulnerable to their usage and associated health risks, including engagement in disordered eating.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures have resulted in a worsening of eating disorder symptoms and an increase in psychological distress. The present study examined symptoms and behaviors in adolescents and young adults with emotional eating, bingeing behaviors and binge eating disorder during the pandemic. Additionally, the study explored if individuals who experienced pandemic-related food availability and food affordability issues experienced increased binge-eating symptoms and negative feelings. Method: Participants (n = 39) were a convenience sample who participated between November 2020 and January 2021 in a weight and lifestyle management program at an urban New England pediatric hospital. Participants completed online surveys that assessed (1) participant’s exposure to COVID-19 related stress and binge-eating behaviors using the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey-Adolescent and Young Adult Version (CEFIS-AYA) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES) respectively, (2) participants’ and their families’ ability to attain and afford food and its association with bingeing behaviors, and (3) the relationship between food availability and affordability and negative emotions. Results: Nearly half of all participants (48.7%) reported moderate to severe bingeing during the COVID-19 pandemic; those who experienced greater COVID-related stress reported more binge-eating behaviors (p = 0.03). There were no associations between indicators of food availability and affordability and binge eating or between food availability and affordability and negative feelings. Conclusions: Higher pandemic-related stress was associated with more binge-eating behaviors among adolescents and young adults. These results underscore the need to monitor symptoms and provide treatment for these patients despite barriers to care imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research and clinical care for adolescents and young adults with EDs must recognize and respond to pandemic effects across the weight and disordered eating spectrum.