Only 2% of TikTok’s diet trends are accurate: 5 things you need to know

The new data is provided as part of a two-part project.

First, MyFitnessPal surveyed 2,000 Millennial and Gen Z TikTok users. Of the 57% of people who said they were influenced by health and nutrition trends on TikTok, more than two-thirds (67%) said they tried at least one of the viral ideas several times a week. .

Additionally, 30% of respondents said they tried TikTok trends despite the potential health risks, and 31% reported feeling negative effects from “fad diet” trends.

“Each individual has different needs, and when people try to adapt to the same fads and concepts, individuals… Removing whole food groups can cause nutritional deficiencies, leaving people unable to get what they need.” This ultimately has a negative impact on mood, concentration, and cognition,” says Amy Goldsmith, RDN, Founder of Kindred Nutrition.

MyFitnessPal also partnered with Dublin City University to use artificial intelligence to analyze over 67,000 videos with nutrition content and compare them to regulated health and nutrition guidance.

Preliminary findings show that only 2.1% of cases are accurate when matched against this guidance. Additionally, 97.9% of the content that was not included was classified as inaccurate, partially accurate, or uncertain due to a lack of scientific evidence to support its claims.

Despite TikTok’s influence, Gen Z users said they trust content from qualified dietitians more than information from unqualified influencers.

“Unfortunately, we can’t stop people from adopting trends who aren’t qualified,” worries Emily Van Eck, MA, RD. “It’s disturbing that so many people are adopting baseless trends and are being harmed by them.”

Blake had similar feelings.

“While deeply concerning, these findings confirm other studies that have identified unqualified individuals providing misinformation and disinformation about nutrition and health,” Blake said. he says.

This also aligns with TikTok’s broader influence.

According to a 2023 PEW study, the number of U.S. adults who regularly get news from TikTok quadrupled in three years, from 3% in 2020 to 14% in 2023. From the age of 18 to 29, around a third (32%) reported getting the news regularly. Their news via TikTok.

One nutritionist also has concerns about the study’s findings, but says it’s important to recognize that the way the study was conducted leaves room for flaws.

“Currently, there is not enough evidence to suggest whether, and to what extent, AI can independently determine whether a video or content complies with public health and nutrition guidelines. It’s important to recognize that,”’ said Madi Pasquariello, a master’s student who was not involved in the study.

Additionally, while bias is an issue on TikTok, especially when influencers are paid to promote certain products, Pasqualiello cautions that MyFitnessPal is not free from bias. The app provides nutritional information.

“If you tell people not to rely on TikTok, they might instead rely on MyFitnessPal, and as they suggest, use the ‘tools’ on their website to get more It might drive people to their platform, Pasqualiello said. “They are as interested in getting their website noticed and clicked on as they are on TikTok.”

a small study 20 women with an average age of about 22 who self-monitored their diets with MyFitnessPal found that while it was beneficial for some, it could be harmful if used persistently, with mixed experiences .

Blake said the fraudulent activity found on TikTok poses many health risks.

“Misinformation about nutrition can be dangerous if followed without a health care provider’s guidance or an RDN’s nutritional expertise,” Blake says. “Many people take medications, have chronic medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, and must follow a specific diet to meet their nutritional needs. The promotion of extreme diets and elimination diets, often promoted through social media, can lead to eating disorders and malnutrition, especially among young adults.

However, as research shows, qualified individuals are disseminating information on social media.

“While we would never encourage people to be the first place they go for nutritional advice, social media can still be a useful tool to spread awareness about public health efforts and evidence-based nutritional advice. ,” Pasqualiello said. “There are a small number of influencers and experts who know what they are talking about and are very strict about the content they put out.”

How can you tell who’s who? Experts say following these simple tips can help.

Consider the source

Credentials are important.

“Health coaches, nutritionists, and the many ‘experts’ who grace our podcast feeds don’t need any training.” [in many states] We give ourselves these titles,” Pasqualiello said. “Because they are not trained to parse the literature for a general audience, they are often unable to properly synthesize research or consider new research in the context of understanding the whole body of evidence. Their goal is to get views, build an audience, and make money.”

Pasqualiello points out that RDs must undergo extensive science-focused education and hundreds of hours of supervised training, including clinical nutrition and work in research settings.

“Plus, you need to stay up to date with the latest research and earn continuing education credits to maintain your certification year after year,” she says.

In other words, look for RD/RDN in a person’s bio.

“RDNs also pass national exams administered by this certification body,” Blake said. Starting in 2024, all RDN candidates will be required to complete a Master of Science degree before taking this national exam. ”

Let’s look into it a bit

Pasquariello suggests fact-checking information that includes studies promoted by influencers (RD/RDN included).

“It’s important that RDs receiving nutrition advice are able to present peer-reviewed, science-based information to support the advice and claims they’re making,” Pasquariello says. “Ideally, this means randomized controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses.”

Please read the summary at the beginning of the study.

“So many people who promote nutritional advice online actually read the entire study before making sweeping claims about something that might be stated in one line of a long summary of scientific literature. We’re neglecting that,” Pasquariello said.

Also, check to see if there are more recent studies.

“I think this is one of the most important things and the least talked about,” Pasqualiello said. “As medical professionals and researchers, we have a duty to view new research in the context of the literature as a whole. Every time a new study like the one I present comes out, I like to imagine the findings as a small dot in a larger circle.Yes, we need to consider new evidence, but always. It must be considered in the context of all other previous circumstances in the field.”

spot keyword

Pasqualiello says there are red flags in popular buzzwords such as:

• toxic/toxin
• poison
• chemicals
• quick fix
• cleanse
• detox
• reset
• quick weight loss
• Never eat X
• Always do Y

“Also, someone talks about supplements, gut health, cortisol, hormonal imbalance, gut reset, gut lining healing, etc. without clearly explaining what they mean and what the scenario is. “Every time it’s mentioned, I get alarmed,” she says. If you’re smart, you’ll quickly notice that these terms are often thrown around as vague, eye-catching references without being fully explained or contextualized.

Let’s do a gut check

Van Eck suggests checking yourself before following any advice you find on TikTok.

“Keep in mind that even if someone is an expert, their experience alone is not proof that something is right for you,” she says. “Think critically about the tips they offer.”

She suggests asking yourself:

• Will adopting this trend require significant time, money, or attentional resources that may outweigh the potential benefits?
• Do the nutrition hacks sound too good to be true? (“Probably so,” says Van Eck.)
• Since this person is “skinny”, young, toned, and has smooth skin, will trying this questionable trend make me look like them too?

“If they appear to be showing off their body, they may feel as if 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 vague, there are evidence-based resources that people can turn to. Experts Healthline spoke to recommended the following:

In addition, in-person resources such as RD, RDN, and WIC programs can also be helpful in the form of accurate information.

New data from MyFitnessPal shows that nearly 6 in 10 Gen Z and Millennial TikTok users are highly influenced by health and nutrition content on the platform.

However, further analysis by Dublin City University suggested preliminary findings suggest that only 2.1% of the information is accurate compared to regulated health and nutrition guidelines.

Experts say it’s best to seek information from RDs and RDNs, who have extensive training in nutrition.

It’s also helpful to fact-check claims by looking at actual studies, reading summaries, and looking for data from additional studies to support or refute claims made by someone online.

Seeing your RD or RDN in person or using the websites of regulatory agencies like the CDC and FDA for information can also help you find more accurate insights and data to support your health.