Can social media be a threat or an opportunity to public health via the impacts on diet quality?

Busra Ayhan^1*Suleyman Kose²Meryem Saban Güler¹Saniye Bilici¹

• ¹Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
• ²Artvin Coruh Universitesi, Artvin, Türkiye

Background: Previous studies have emphasized the influence of social media on people's eating habits and preferences. Studies have indicated that social media can influence diet quality through a variety of processes in both positive and negative ways. But, it is still unknown how social media's widespread use in daily life affects users' nutritional condition. Objective: A survey form covering the frequency of social media use (SMU), topics related to nutrition followed, and accounts followed was administered by researchers. Participants self-reported age, weight, and height and provided 24-hour dietary recall records. Method: A total of 1241 university students, all with at least one social media account, participated in the study. A survey form covering the frequency of SMU, topics related to nutrition, and accounts followed was administered by researchers. Participants self-reported age, weight, and height, and provided 24-hour dietary recall records. Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) scores were calculated based on the 24-hour dietary recall records to assess diet quality. Result: Among the persons who use social media frequently, 39.4% were classified as male, while 60.6% were classified as female. The study also found that 48.7% of students who use social media rarely and 41.0% frequently are enrolled in health-related departments. Instagram was the most popular platform among students and the source of healthy nutrition recipes. Accordingly, it is seen that the frequency of social media use does not give a statistically significant result with BMI (p<0.05). Students in health-related departments had significantly reduced energy intake compared to other departments (p<0.05). However, they exhibited elevated consumption of fiber and vitamin A. Energy, protein, and carbohydrate intakes were not significantly different between students who used social media rarely and frequently. Calcium and potassium levels of those studying in the health department who use social media frequently were found to be significantly higher than those who use social media rarely (p<0.05). Participant MAR scores and classifications were not significantly different by academic department or SMU classification (p>0,05). Conclusion: Social media holds potential as a tool for promoting healthy food choices among university students who actively engage with it.