Excessive smartphone use linked to eating disorder–related symptoms in adolescents
Study reviewed 35 studies involving over 52,000 participants globally
High screen time associated with body dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating patterns
Adolescents and young adults identified as the most vulnerable group
Findings show association, not direct causation, highlighting need for further research
A systematic review published in JMIR Mental Health in March 2026 has identified a significant association between excessive smartphone use and symptoms related to eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. The findings are based on an analysis of multiple studies involving more than 52,000 participants across different populations.1
Researchers reviewed 35 studies to evaluate the relationship between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and eating-related behaviors. The analysis showed that individuals with higher screen time were more likely to report symptoms such as body dissatisfaction, emotional overeating, uncontrolled eating, and patterns resembling food addiction.
The association was observed not only in clinically diagnosed cases but also in the general population, suggesting that these behavioral patterns may be widespread among frequent smartphone users.
The study primarily focused on adolescents and young adults, with an average participant age of around 17 years. This age group was found to be particularly vulnerable to both excessive smartphone use and its psychological effects.
The systematic review1 reported several consistent findings on the relationship between smartphone use and eating behaviors:
A majority of the included studies identified a significant link between problematic smartphone use and eating disorder–related symptoms.
Higher smartphone use was associated with multiple eating-related concerns, including:
Body dissatisfaction
Emotional overeating
Uncontrolled eating
Addictive-like eating behaviors
The review found that greater daily smartphone use was associated with increased severity of disordered eating symptoms across several studies.
The association between smartphone use and eating behaviors was observed across different countries and population groups, indicating a consistent pattern globally.
Researchers reported that anxiety, depressive symptoms, and difficulties in emotional regulation may contribute to the relationship between smartphone use and disordered eating.
The researchers reported that while the findings show a consistent association, they do not confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Most of the included studies were observational, which limits the ability to establish causality.
The authors highlighted the need for long-term studies to better understand whether excessive smartphone use contributes to the development of eating disorders or whether other underlying factors influence both behaviors.
The review highlights a clear link between high smartphone use and eating disorder–related symptoms in young individuals. As smartphone use continues to increase globally, these findings point to the importance of understanding its potential impact on mental and behavioral health.
1. Keeler, J., Conde Ludtke, L., Yang, Q., Raschke Rameh, V., Ward, R., Treasure, J., and Carter, B. 2026. “Associations of Problematic Smartphone Use and Smartphone Screen Time With Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Non-Clinical Samples: A Systematic Review.” JMIR Mental Health 13: e88572. https://doi.org/10.2196/88572.
(Rh/SS/MSM)
