When social media met nutrition

Abstract

How influencers spread misinformation, and why we believe them TEXT ZOE LOFFT VISUALS KATERINA LIMPITSOUNI ver the past decade, the proliferation of social media platforms and the emergence of the role of "influencers" on social media has led to a potentially dangerous online landscape, characterized by mass amounts of misinformation that disseminates faster than ever before. Misinformation has polluted nearly every topical area, spreading from politics to science. One interesting site pertains to nutritional advice. A pressing issue has arisen as an increasing number of unqualified social media influencers spread unsubstantiated claims about nutrition to vulnerable consumers. Influencers profit from selling meal plans or dietary guides and gaining mass followings. Meanwhile, high-quality, observation-based scientific research in nutrition is oversimplified and extrapolated as collateral damage. Misinformation is potent, spreads quickly, and can be resistant to correction. This multi-faceted problem may never be fully languished but increasing critical thinking and healthy skepticism around information seen online and recognizing instances where influencers may have exploited their power in the past, may help increase awareness of the problem. O FEATURE