Loughborough University Study Reveals How Social Media Algorithms Shape Experiences of People with Eating Disorders

Loughborough University Study Reveals How Social Media Algorithms Shape Experiences of People with Eating Disorders

(IN BRIEF) Loughborough University researchers, together with partners from the University of Bristol and the University of Melbourne, have found that social media algorithms on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram often direct people with eating disorders toward harmful diet and appearance-related content, even when they seek recovery-focused information. Based on interviews with 31 UK adults, the study shows that algorithmic feedback loops can reinforce unhealthy thoughts and behaviours while also providing access to supportive communities and recovery resources. Participants described using various strategies to manage their feeds and reduce exposure to triggering content. The research highlights the complex role of social media in eating disorder experiences and calls for greater transparency, improved user control and stronger digital literacy to help users navigate algorithm-driven platforms.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOUGHBOROUGH, 24-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Loughborough University researchers, working with colleagues from the University of Bristol and the University of Melbourne, have found that people with eating disorders are frequently exposed to harmful dieting and appearance-related content on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, even when they actively search for recovery-focused material. At the same time, the same platforms can provide important sources of support, advice and encouragement for those managing eating disorders.

The qualitative study investigated how social media algorithms influence the online experiences of people with eating disorders. Researchers interviewed 31 adults in the United Kingdom who identified as having either current or past eating disorders, focusing on how algorithm-driven recommendations affected the content appearing in their feeds.

Participants reported that even when they intentionally sought mental health and recovery-related information, they were often led into recurring streams of body-focused content. These included weight-loss stories, diet advice and appearance-oriented posts, which appeared repeatedly and were difficult to avoid. Many participants described encountering similar videos and posts in succession, creating an immersive experience that reinforced unhealthy thoughts and behaviours.

Some participants also reported receiving large volumes of dieting and fitness advertising after interacting with eating-disorder-related content. These algorithm-driven patterns contributed to increased feelings of guilt, comparison and preoccupation with food and body image.

The research found that recovery-focused content could have mixed effects. While supportive communities and practical guidance were widely valued, exposure to recovery narratives sometimes led to harmful comparisons with others. Despite these challenges, many participants used social media platforms to access body-positive messages, self-compassion resources and practical advice to support their recovery.

Users described actively managing their online environments by adjusting their feeds to prioritise mental health content. Techniques included blocking or muting triggering material, unfollowing certain accounts and reporting advertisements they found harmful. Researchers described these approaches as self-directed digital wellbeing strategies that allowed users to make constructive use of social media.

Professor Paula Saukko, lead author of the study titled It shows me mental health things and keeps spamming diets: a qualitative spatial perspective on how people with eating disorders experience algorithms shaping their movement across social media, highlighted the complexity of the relationship between eating disorders and online platforms. The research shows that algorithms can direct vulnerable individuals toward potentially harmful content, but they can also help people access recovery information and supportive networks.

The findings suggest that discussions about social media and eating disorders should consider not only time spent online but also the role of recommendation systems in shaping users’ experiences. The researchers emphasise the importance of improving user control over content recommendations, increasing transparency in algorithmic systems and strengthening digital literacy to help users navigate online environments more effectively.

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SOURCE: Loughborough University