Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

NUTRITION DISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA: AN OVERVIEW

Authors: Burak L.; Vostrikova V.; Sapach A.;

NUTRITION DISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Social media today play a key role in communicating and disseminating information about health and nutrition. However, the lack of effective content moderation has led to a rapid increase in misinformation that threatens public health. The rapid evolution of digital platforms and the diversity of their audiences make it difficult to effectively control the quality of the information posted. The aim of this study is to identify the social media platforms most frequently used to spread misinformation about nutrition, and to analyze the main thematic areas of such messages, including false dietary claims and links to diseases. A systematic literature review was conducted, including an analysis of empirical studies devoted to misinformation on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Publications were selected according to PRISMA guidelines, and data were synthesized in a narrative form to achieve the stated research objectives. The final analysis included 28 studies covering various aspects of misinformation about nutrition on social media. The most significant platforms for its dissemination are Instagram (50% of cases) and YouTube (39.28%), to a lesser extent - Twitter (10.72%) and TikTok (5.13%). More than 62% of disinformation sources are dedicated to so-called "miracle diets", often associated with the risks of developing orthorexia and associated with the topic of COVID-19 (14.28% each). Characteristic features of such materials include unfounded promises of rapid health improvement and disease treatment without reliable scientific basis. High-quality and reliable nutritional content is published mainly by medical professionals and academic organizations, which emphasizes their exceptional role in shaping the correct ideas among users. Nutritional misinformation on social media platforms is a current and growing threat to public health. As other case studies illustrate, the active dissemination of false information leads to mistrust of professional sources, a rapid increase in the popularity of unverified diets, the formation of dangerous dietary practices, and an exacerbation of alarming real panic. Social media users, especially those with low digital and critical literacy, are most susceptible to such influences. Current strategies to combat the problem include developing digital and media literacy of the population, providing tools for verifying information, and increasing the activity of medical professionals in digital spaces. Effective counteraction to disinformation is possible only with the coordinated efforts of health care institutions, experts, and social platforms themselves, which should become platforms for reliable education and strengthening the health of society.

Keywords

food, diet, health, social media, disinformation, health authorities.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green
Related to Research communities