(P10-002-25) Social Media and Your Nutrition: A Mixed Methods Study in Young Adults

Objectives: This study examined how exposure to food-related content on social media influences dietary choices, behaviors, and perceptions among young adults. It investigated the frequency and nature of content on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube, and explored its impact on attitudes toward food, dietary restrictions, and emotional responses such as guilt or inspiration.

Methods: This study used a mixed-methods survey to explore social media's impact on nutrition and dietary choices, focusing on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube. It gathered quantitative data on the frequency and effects of food-related content and qualitative insights into participants' experiences, with analysis including statistical evaluations and thematic analysis to understand its influence on dietary behaviors and perceptions.

Results: Out of 68 respondents, the majority were white females aged 19–21, enrolled in college for nursing, pharmacy, nutrition, or health sciences. Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat were the most popular social media platforms, with daily usage averaging 1–3 hours. Recipe-related and healthy eating content were the most viewed topics. In the past year, 31 participants added specific foods or supplements (e.g., protein powder, chia seeds, probiotics, magnesium glycinate) 1–3 times, influenced by social media and trends. Influencers shaped dietary choices for 27 participants, leading to comparisons and adopting new diets like intermittent fasting or carnivore diets, lasting 4 days to ongoing. Posts often evoked food-related guilt, reported occasionally by 28 participants, often by 10, and never by 1. While 36 participants agreed social media labels food as "good" or "bad," 33 felt in control of its influence, 18 were neutral, and 3 disagreed. Overall, 33 rated its impact as neutral, 15 as negative, and 6 as positive.

Conclusions: Social media significantly influences young adults' dietary behaviors, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok shaping food choices and emotional responses. Engagement with recipes or healthy eating content often leads to adopting new dietary trends, though the impact varies based on individual perceptions and digital literacy.

Funding Sources: Funded by URI Undergraduate Research Initiative