The case in summary: Doctor Michael Thorp expresses concern about a growing health anxiety among young people, which he believes is reinforced by information and pressure from social media. In the StatusUng survey from 2024, 45 per cent of a sample aged 16 to 36 stated that they are worried about their own physical health. 41 per cent of those questioned believed that they are more concerned with exercise than others of the same age, and 33 per cent experienced pressure related to body image from influencers on social media. Thorp encourages young people to be critical of health information online, and to trust their own gut feeling when something sounds strange. The Norwegian Directorate of Health emphasizes the importance of fact-based dietary advice, and believes that school and home are important arenas for teaching young people about a healthy relationship with diet and exercise. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – I am less active now than when I was younger, so it can worry me that I am not active enough, says Tomine Simonstad (19). She is a student at Østfold University College and is practicing for an oral exam with her fellow students. Everyone around the table is concerned about their own health, but they don’t think about it on a daily basis. Gustav Franzon (26) plays floorball at an elite level, and is often active. – But even if you train, you can get sick, says Franzon. In the StatusUng survey from 2024, 45 per cent of a sample aged 16 to 36 stated that they are worried about their own physical health. The survey was carried out by Opinion for Mental Health Youth, with 1,862 respondents in Norway. – It shouldn’t be like that for us who are young and fit, says Simonstad. The students understand that more people worry. – If I’m in pain, my thoughts can spin and make me insecure. But I usually wait to go to the doctor and hope it goes away, says Franzon. The survey also revealed that 32 per cent had felt pressure related to their body and appearance in the last 14 days. – If there is reason to worry, for example because you are not very active, you can change your lifestyle in a safe environment. Seek advice from people with expertise and not on Instagram, says Tomine Simonstad (19). – Focus on yourself. And if you want to train more, find something that works over time, and perhaps a training partner who can motivate you, says Stian Torget (22). – Find an interest that makes it impossible to worry, such as being social, says Gustav Franzon (26). – Don’t trust everything you read on the internet, says Linn-Cecilie Frøhoel (21). Feeling pressure from social media – It’s a bit sad that many people go around worrying about their health, says doctor Michael Thorp. Photo: Herbalife – I think we are seeing an emerging health anxiety globally, says doctor and specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation Michael Thorp. – The paradox is that more people live healthily. 41 per cent believed that they are more concerned with exercise, compared to others of the same age, according to the StatusUng survey. Thorp believes the pandemic and the amount of information in social media and news must take a large part of the blame. The students at Østfold University College agree with him. – Perhaps people have realized how serious the pandemic was. And social media may make you more worried, says Simonstad. In the survey, several people stated that they experience various health problems: 33 per cent stated that they feel that pressure related to their body is applied by influencers on social media. 21 percent had been exposed to online content on a daily or weekly basis that dealt with ways to lose weight. Thorp advises the young to be critical. – It is difficult to give advice that suits everyone. I think several influencers shoot themselves in the foot by making strict advice. Trust your gut feeling a bit. If that sounds strange, it probably is. – And the poor Norwegian Directorate of Health must prepare dietary advice for an entire population. How on earth can you give advice to 5 million people at the same time? – Influencers are just ordinary people with their experiences. It is not certain that what they do suits my lifestyle, says student Tomine Simonstad. Photo: Juni Hoem / news Directorate of Health: – Can tip over – Norwegians live longer now than before. How we take care of our own physical and mental health throughout our lives will have an impact on the quality of life here and now, but also well into old age, says Divisional Director of the Norwegian Directorate of Health (Hdir) Hilde Myhren. Hdir had a review of Opinion’s youth survey last autumn. – The Directorate of Health’s voice must be facts based on knowledge and help to balance the picture of reality left by other actors in the public sphere, says divisional director Hilde Myhren. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news – What was striking was that young people are very concerned about realizing their body and appearance. In principle, it is healthy to take care of the body, but for some it can tip over. Myhren believes that school, in addition to home, is an arena where young people can learn about and develop a healthy relationship with diet and exercise. She also emphasizes the importance of publishing fact-based dietary advice. – But how much advice should be given before people shop? One should manage it oneself, with prudence. The most important dietary advice is to eat varied food, mostly from the plant kingdom and most importantly with pleasure, Myhren concludes. Published 12/12/2024, at 05.26
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Feeling pressure on social media – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
