Study Shows TikTok's Misleading Nutrition Advice Affects Millions of Young Adults
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A recent survey by MyFitnessPal has unearthed startling insights into how viral social media trends are shaping the health habits of Millennials and Gen Z. The survey, encompassing responses from 2,000 young adults across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, reveals a concerning reliance on platforms like TikTok for nutrition and health guidance.
According to the survey, an overwhelming 87% of Millennials and Gen Z users on TikTok have sought out nutritional advice via the platform. Shockingly, 57% admit that they are influenced by or often adopt trends discovered there. Katie Keil, Chief Marketing Officer at MyFitnessPal, stressed the danger of such trends, noting that “the survey findings highlight the fact that people need to better understand what's in the food they're eating, dig more into the science behind social trends, and find trusted sources to guide them.”
The report also noted the popularity of specific fad diets among these demographics. Detoxing, foods purported to burn stomach fat, and liquid cleanses topped the list, with 30% of respondents trying these despite known health risks. Alarmingly, 31% have experienced negative health effects from such diets. Millennials showed a preference for detox and cabbage soup diets, whereas Gen Z leaned towards novel approaches like drinking chlorophyll water.
In a bid to tackle misinformation, MyFitnessPal has collaborated with Dublin City University in a research study analyzing over 67,000 diet and nutrition TikTok videos. Preliminary results are sobering: only 2.1% of these videos met the criteria set by established health and nutrition guidelines. Theo Lynn, Professor of Digital Business at Dublin City University, emphasized the importance of digital health literacy. “This involves being aware of the experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness of the source," Lynn explained.
Despite these troubling findings, there is a silver lining. Gen Z respondents showed a higher level of trust in content shared by qualified Registered Dietitians over that by unqualified influencers, highlighting a critical discernment in who they trust for health information.
This report underscores a vital need for enhanced digital health literacy and expert guidance amidst the viral landscape of social media health trends. As these platforms continue to influence dietary habits, it becomes increasingly crucial to promote and prioritize scientifically backed, evidence-based information.
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