Beyond the screen: the role of social media and family influence in shaping body image and eating behaviors

Abstract Background Body image concerns and eating disorders are increasingly prevalent among adolescents, significantly influenced by social media and family dynamics. This study investigated the correlation between social media usage, family influence, and body image satisfaction among secondary school students in Babylon Governorate, Iraq. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Babylon Governorate, Iraq, from June 2024 to January 2025. A randomly selected sample of 750 students from eight secondary schools participated. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including the Body Satisfaction Scale (BS), the Disordered Eating Behavior Index (DEB), and Family Influence Scale (FIS) to assess body image perception, eating behaviors, and family influence. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient ( p < 0.05) were used for data analysis. Results The study of 750 students (48% males, 52% females) across grades 4–6 showed that most belonged to married-parent families (53.33%), with 46.1% from low-income backgrounds. Social media use was higher among males (80%) than females (65%), with sixth graders and students from divorced, widowed, and high-income families having the highest usage. Obesity was more prevalent among females (20%) than males (10%), with sixth graders most affected. Males exhibited higher disordered eating behaviors (60% vs. 20% in females). Regression analysis identified parental marital status as the most influential factor in social media use, obesity, and body satisfaction (Beta = 0.40, p = 0.00), while gender had no significant impact. Conclusions Sociodemographic factors such as gender, grade level, parental marital status, and economic status play a significant role in students' social media use, eating behaviors, and body satisfaction. Parental marital status was the most influential factor in determining health and dietary behaviors, while gender had minimal impact.