- A new survey found that 57% of Millennial and Gen Z TikTok users report being influenced by or frequently adopting nutrition trends they learn about on the platform.
- But only about 2% is accurate compared to public health and nutrition guidelines.
- Experts are concerned about TikTok’s impact, given the potential for misinformation.
It’s not news that fad diets and nutrition advice are widely shared on social media platforms like TikTok.
But a new survey conducted by MyFitnessPal and Dublin City University suggests that many of the diet and nutrition trends on TikTok are not in line with public health and nutrition guidelines.
Even more concerning is that among the 2,000 Millennial and Gen Z TikTok users surveyed, 57% of respondents said they were influenced by or often tried nutrition trends they saw on the platform.
But only 2.1% of nutrition content on the platform is accurate, according to an AI-based analysis of more than 67,000 videos conducted with Dublin City University that compared TikTok videos to regulated public health and nutrition guidelines.
Professor of Nutrition Dr. EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND. “Recent research conducted by MyFitnessPal, in partnership with Dublin City University, has revealed an enormous amount of misinformation about health and nutrition on TikTok,” says Joan Salge Blake. Boston University, author Nutrition and Youand host of the nutrition and health podcast, Point!person who did not participate in the research.
The new data comes as part of a two-part project.
First, MyFitnessPal surveyed 2,000 Millennial and Gen-Z TikTok users. Of the 57% of people who reported being influenced by TikTok’s health and nutrition trends, more than two-thirds (67%) said they try at least one of the viral ideas several times a week.
Additionally, 30% of respondents reported trying the TikTok trend despite its potential health risks, and 31% reported feeling the negative impact of the “fad diet” trend.
“Every individual has different needs, and individuals emerge when people try to adapt to the same fashions or concepts. . . “They can create nutrient deficiencies by eliminating entire food groups, and if they don’t get what they need, they will eventually negatively impact mood, focus, and cognition,” says Amy Goldsmith RDN, LDN, founder of Kindred Nutrition.
MyFitnessPal also worked with Dublin City University to analyze more than 67,000 videos with nutritional content using artificial intelligence and compare them with curated health and nutrition guides.
Preliminary findings showed that only 2.1% were accurate when checked against this guide. And 97.9% of the content not included was classified as inaccurate, partially true or unclear due to a lack of scientific evidence to support the claim.
Despite TikTok’s influence, Gen Z users said they trust content from qualified registered dietitians over information distributed by unauthorized individuals.
“Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop them from adopting the trends of the unskilled,” worries Emily Van Eck, MS, RD. “It is disturbing that so many people embrace unfounded trends and are harmed by them.”
Blake shared similar sentiments.
“While extremely concerning, these findings support other studies that have found unqualified individuals providing misinformation and disinformation about nutrition and health,” says Blake.
It also fits with TikTok’s broader influence.
A 2023 PEW Study noted that the number of U.S. adults who regularly get news from TikTok quadrupled in three years, from 3% in 2020 to 14% in 2023. Nearly a third (32%) of people aged 18 to 29 reported receiving news regularly. news via TikTok.
A dietitian is also concerned about the findings, but says it’s important to recognize that the way the survey was conducted leaves room for flaws.
“It is vital to recognize that we do not currently have sufficient evidence to suggest whether AI alone can determine whether a video or piece of content complies with public health and nutrition guidelines, and if so, to what extent.” ” said Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, who was not involved in the research.
Additionally, while bias is an issue on TikTok, especially when influencers are paid to promote certain products, Pasquariello warns that MyFitnessPal is not neutral either. The app distributes nutritional information.
“We could infer that by telling people not to turn to TikTok, they might turn to MyFitnessPal instead and use the ‘tool’ on their website as they suggest, bringing more people to their platform,” says Pasquariello. “They have as much interest as TikTok in keeping eyes and clicks on their website.”
A.
Blake says the misinformation found on TikTok poses numerous health risks.
“Nutrition misinformation can be dangerous if followed without the guidance of one’s healthcare provider and the nutrition expertise of the RDN,” says Blake. “Many people are on medications and have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and they must follow a specific diet to meet their nutritional needs. Additionally, extreme diets and the promotion of elimination diets, often promoted through social media, are contributing to eating disorders and diabetes, especially among young adults.” It can lead to malnutrition.”
But as the survey shows, qualified people are spreading information on social media.
“While it is never the first place I recommend people go for nutrition advice, social media can still be a useful tool for spreading awareness about public health initiatives and evidence-based nutrition recommendations,” says Pasquariello. “Although they are small in number, some influencers and experts know what they are talking about and are extremely particular about the content they publish.”
How can you determine who is who? Experts say following these simple tips can help.
Consider the source
Credentials are important.
“Health coaches and nutritionists, as well as many “experts” who grace our podcasts, do not require any training [in many states] They need to give themselves these titles,” says Pasquariello. “They often cannot properly synthesize research or evaluate new studies in the context of our overall understanding of evidence because they have never been trained to parse the literature for a lay audience. Their goal is to get views, listens, and make money.”
Pasquariello notes that RDs must undergo comprehensive, science-focused training and hundreds of hours of supervised training, including work in clinical nutrition and research settings.
“Beyond that, they need to stay current on the latest research and obtain continuing education credits to maintain their credentials from year to year,” he says.
In short, look for RD/RDN in a person’s bio.
“RDN also passed a national exam administered by this accrediting body,” says Blake. “Starting in 2024, all RDN candidates will be required to have a master’s degree before taking this national exam.”
Do some research
Pasquariello recommends fact-checking information, including studies touted by influencers (or even RDs/RDNs).
“It’s important that any RD you seek nutrition advice from can provide peer-reviewed science-based information to support the advice they give or the claims they make,” says Pasquariello. “Optimally, this means randomized, controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses.”
Read the abstract of the study above.
“Many people who post nutritional advice online fail to actually read a study in its entirety before making sweeping claims about something that might have appeared in one line of a long summary of scientific literature,” says Pasquariello.
Additionally, see if there are newer studies.
“This is one of the most important, but I think the least talked about,” Pasquariello says. “As medical professionals and R&Ds, we have an obligation to look at each new study in the context of the literature at large. Whenever a new study emerges that disrupts what we know about a topic or moves research in a completely new direction, its findings are a small part of a larger circle.” “I like to imagine that as a point, yes, we have to consider new evidence, but always in the context of everything to date in the field.”
Spot keywords
Pasquariello says some popular buzzwords are red flags:
- toxic/toxins
- Poisons
- chemicals
- quick fix
- Clear
- detox
- Reset
- rapid weight loss
- Never eat X
- Always do Y
“I’m also wary when someone talks about supplements, gut health, cortisol, hormone imbalance, gut resetting, lining healing, and the like without clearly stating what these things mean and in what scenarios,” she says. If you’re level-headed, you’ll soon realize how often these terms are thrown around as vague, gimmicky phrases rather than being fully explained or contextualized.
Do a bowel check
Van Eck recommends consulting with yourself before following the advice found on TikTok.
“Remember that one person’s experience, even an expert, is not proof that something is right for you,” she says. “Think critically about the tip they offer.”
He suggests asking yourself this question:
- Will adopting this trend require significant resources of time, money, or attention that may outweigh the potential benefit?
- Does the nutrition tip seem too good to be true? (“Probably so,” says Van Eck.)
- Do I think that just because this person is “slimmer,” younger, more toned, or has smoother skin, trying this questionable trend will make me look more like them?
“If they look like they’re showing off their body, they probably feel like their body is their business card,” Van Eck says. “That’s a red flag.”
Use evidence-based resources
Although the information found online can be murky, there are evidence-based resources people can turn to. Experts interviewed by Healthline suggested the following:
Additionally, personal resources such as RDs and RDNs or WIC programs can also help provide accurate information.
New data from MyFitnessPal shows that nearly 6 in 10 Gen Z and Millennial TikTok users are heavily influenced by the health and nutrition content available on the platform.
But in further analysis with Dublin City University, preliminary findings revealed that only 2.1% of the information was accurate when compared to regulated health and nutrition guidelines.
Experts say it’s best to get information from RDs and RDNs who have extensive training in nutrition.
It’s also helpful to check the veracity of claims by looking at the actual study, reading beyond the abstract, and looking for data from additional studies to support or refute someone’s online claim.
Seeing an RD or RDN in person or using websites of regulated agencies such as the CDC or FDA for information can also help you find more accurate information and data to support your health.