From social media to body image distress: Problematic internet use, exercise addiction, and enhancement drugs use across countries

Dores, Artemisa R. and Burkaukas, Julius and Stanyte, Agne and Pranckeviciene, Aiste and Carvalho, Irene P. and Zandonai, Thomas and Simonato, Pierluigi and De Luca, Ilaria and Carollo, Alessandro and Ábel, Krisztina Edina and Szabó, Attila and Kovácsik, Rita and Fujiwara, Hironobu and Shibata, Mami and Girleanu, Andreea and Melero Ventola, Alejandra Rebeca and Santos-Labrador, Ricardo M. and Bruno de Almeida Cunha, Nelson and Penazzi, Gabriele and Venturini, Sofia and Castro, Fabio and Lazuras, Lambros and Esposito, Gianluca and Demetrovics, Zsolt and Corazza, Ornella (2026) From social media to body image distress: Problematic internet use, exercise addiction, and enhancement drugs use across countries. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS, 15 (2). pp. 704-720. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background and aims Social media increasingly shapes body image by promoting often unattainable beauty ideals. Concurrently, targeted online marketing of image- and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) exploits these vulnerabilities, intensifying anxiety and fostering maladaptive behaviours such as problematic usage of the internet (PUI), compulsive exercise, and IPEDs consumption. This study explores these behaviours across nine countries and examines how PUI, excessive exercise, and IPEDs use predict appearance anxiety, aiming to inform targeted prevention strategies for at-risk populations. Methods A total of 3,514 participants from nine countries completed a web-based survey assessing sociodemographic data, appearance anxiety (AAI), problematic internet use (PIUQ-9), excessive exercise (EAI-R), and IPEDs intake. Results Appearance-related anxiety was observed in 12% of the participants, with the highest prevalence in Mexico (20.7%), Japan (13.8%) and Italy (13.6%). Median PUI scores were highest in Mexico (22.57) and Singapore (21.59). Excessive exercise was reported by 3.6% with no significant country differences. IPEDs use was reported by 28.3% of the sample, with the highest rates in Japan (60.6%). Logistic regression analyses revealed that PUI, excessive exercise and IPEDs use were significant predictors of appearance-related anxiety. Discussion and conclusions The strong associations between PUI, excessive exercise, IPEDs use, and appearance anxiety underscore the complex interplay between online exposure, body image concerns and mental health. Cross-country differences suggest that socio-cultural factors influence appearance-related anxiety. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive interventions and policy measures that address the impact of digital media on body image, particularly to protect vulnerable populations.

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