The impact of phone addiction on eating disorders in children

Research objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and the occurrence of eating disorders among school-aged children. The analysis also included the influence of excessive screen time on body image perception and dietary habits. Methodology: The study was both a literature review and analytical synthesis, based on recent empirical data, including reports from WHO, GUS statistics, and academic publications from databases such as PubMed and Scopus. More than 20 sources were analyzed, focusing on children aged 8 to 14 years. Main conclusions: A clear correlation was identified between excessive smartphone use and the risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia, binge eating, and orthorexia. The influence of social media on body image perception, particularly among girls, was found to be especially concerning. Additionally, excessive screen time was associated with irregular meals and reduced diet quality. Application of the study: The findings can be utilized by child psychologists, dietitians, educators, and parents to develop preventive programs addressing smartphone addiction and its negative health consequences, including eating disorders. Originality/Novelty of the study: This paper integrates recent findings from psychology, nutrition, and digital education to highlight the interrelationship between technological dependence and children’s physical and mental health. It is one of the few studies to focus specifically on this issue in a young age group.