title: The bid to lose weight: impact of social media on weight perceptions, weight control and diabetes.
abstract: Over the last decade the internet has come to permeate every aspect of our lives. With huge leaps in accessibility of the internet via mobile personal devices such as smart cellular phones and tablets, individuals are connected to the internet virtually all the time. It is no surprise therefore that social media now dominates the lives of many people within society. The authors take a look at how social media is influencing diabetes with particular focus on weight perception, weight management and eating behaviours. The authors explore the concept of how the advertising of Size 0 models and photo-shopping of images which are easily available on line and via social media is causing an increase in the number of young people with distorted body images. This has led to an increased number of people resorting to sometimes drastic weight loss programmes. We focus on the bid for 'low-fat' consumption and highlight how this could actually be leading to an increased risk for developing diabetes or worsening the complications of diabetes. We also discuss the increase of eating disorder in diabetes related to this distorted body image.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Ranjini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Oxford Children's Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, OX3 9DU, UK. makaya2@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tafadzwa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makaya
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001835:Body Weight; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009042:Motivation; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D012649:Self Concept; D061108:Social Media / Q000639:trends; D012938:Social Perception; D015431:Weight Loss