Social Media Use and Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Female Adolescents in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

The proliferation of social media platforms has intensified exposure to idealized body images, raising concerns about body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating among adolescent girls. This study examines the relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction among female secondary school students in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional design will recruit 260 girls aged 13 to 18 years from four private and public secondary schools. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34) will assess body image dissatisfaction, while a structured questionnaire will measure daily social media usage hours, platform preference, and types of content consumed. Sociodemographic data including parental income, peer influence, and prior history of bullying will also be captured. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression will examine associations. Recent studies from urban Nigeria suggest that Instagram and TikTok use is positively correlated with body image concerns among adolescent girls, particularly in high-income urban settings. This study aims to generate evidence to support school-based digital literacy and mental health programs in Abuja's educational sector. Recommendations will target school counselors, parents, and technology platform regulators. Keywords: social media, body image, adolescents, female, Abuja