India, March 22 -- New research has found a strong link between excessive smartphone use and disordered eating behaviours among young people, even in those with no formal diagnosis of an eating disorder.

The study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, highlights a significant association between Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU)-a pattern of behavioural or psychological dependence on smartphones-and the severity of eating disorder symptoms. Researchers say the findings underscore the need for early intervention strategies targeting excessive phone use among youth.

"Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our everyday lives. Our study shows that even among individuals without an eating disorder diagnosis, excessive smartph...