Indonesian Youth and the Social Media Influence on Eating Disorders

Social media is influencing the rise of eating disorders among young people in Indonesia. Brigitta 'Gigi' Cyntia, a celebrity from the pop group Cherrybelle, revealed her struggles, raising awareness. Studies show that many Indonesian youths, especially young women, face body image issues, influenced by unrealistic beauty standards on platforms like Instagram.

Bandung, Jun 10 (360info) - The rising use of social media among young Indonesians is contributing to the country's growing prevalence of eating disorders.

Indonesian celebrity Brigitta 'Gigi' Cyntia, a member of the pop group Cherrybelle, has publicly disclosed her battle with an eating disorder, urging her fans to seek professional help if faced with similar issues. Her candid confession highlights an increasing concern in Indonesia: the prevalence of body image issues and eating disorders among the country's youth.

Studies reveal that up to 10 per cent of Indonesian students are at risk of developing eating disorders, and between 12 to 22 per cent of women aged 15 to 29 report difficulties managing their food intake. Recent data from a small study in Tangerang, Indonesia, showed that 57.7 per cent of youth without diagnosed eating disorders still experienced dissatisfaction with their appearance.

This alarming trend mirrors a global increase in eating disorders, rising from 0.15 per cent of the world's population in 1990 to 0.17 per cent in 2019. The implications for physical and mental health, and overall life satisfaction, are dire.