Effect of ChatGPT use on eating disorders and body image

Abstract

Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a conversational service that uses artificial intelligence and is also known as a chatbot. ChatGPT and similar applications have the potential to be a tool that can be used in the field of psychiatry. Eating disorders affect a large number of individuals worldwide. Tools that encourage and support people with eating disorders to seek mental health services may be critical to helping them get the care they need. However, body image, defined as the totality of a person's thoughts and perceptions about their physical appearance, has been linked to a variety of health problems, particularly among young adults, about eating disorders. There is limited literature on how chatbots respond to or provide information about body image. Preventing eating disorders before they occur is also of great importance. However, young adults who struggle with body image perception may be misled by the information produced by ChatGPT. Studies have yet to clarify whether a chatbot can improve eating disorder-related factors, eating disorder psychopathology, depression, and anxiety or detect eating disorders in advance. This study focuses on the accuracy of ChatGPT in providing information regarding eating disorders and its potential effects on body image perception.

Keywords: Eating disorders; Body image; Psychiatry; ChatGPT; Chatbox; Artificial intelligence; Feeding and eating disorders; Binge eating disorder; Anorexia nervosa; Bulimia nervosa

Core Tip: Artificial intelligence, various chatbots, and Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) usage have increased widely. Today, people also benefit from ChatGPT applications instead of health professional recommendations. While this creates a positive impact in terms of time and cost, it is also an easy way to find a solution in front of a screen, especially for individuals with psychiatric disorders, instead of going to the clinic. The positive effects of chatbots can be observed, especially when used in person-assisted ways. In addition, it may contribute to correcting negative body image perception, especially seen in younger age groups, and determining eating disorders. However, ChatGPT's answers do not always provide definitive results. It may lead to some confusion in determining the type of eating disorder. Some ethical principles must be followed when using it. These include contributing to society and human well-being and not causing harm.