Food Trends and Popular Nutrition Advice Online – Implications for Public Health

Authors

  • Divya Ramachandran University of Sydney 1. Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia 2. The Boden institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6311-9795
  • James Kite Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5500-2538
  • Amy Jo Vassallo Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8473-7549
  • Josephine Y Chau Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6261-2545
  • Stephanie R Partridge 1) Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia 2)Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5390-3922
  • Becky Freeman Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2082-9612
  • Timothy Gill 1. Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia 2. The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i2.9306

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: Consumers routinely seek health and nutrition-related information from online sources, including social media platforms. This study identified popular online nutrition content to examine the advice and assess alignment with the Australian Guideline to Healthy Eating (AGHE).

Methods: We used Facebook page likes as an indicator of popularity to identify online nutrition and diet content.  Websites and blogs associated with pages that had more than 100,000 Australian likes on 7th September 2017 were included.  The dietary advice promoted was collected and compared with the AGHE. 

Results:  Nine Facebook pages met the inclusion criteria. The four most-liked pages were hosted by celebrities. Only two pages and their associated websites had advice consistent with AGHE recommendations. The concept of “real food” was a popular theme online. While most sources advocated increasing vegetable consumption and reducing processed food, other advice was not evidence-based and frequently conflicted with the AGHE.

Discussion: Health information seekers are exposed to a variety of online dietary information and lifestyle advice. While few public health goals are promoted, there are many conflicts with AGHE. Public health organisations promoting AGHE on Facebook are few and not as popular.

Conclusion:  Public health organisations need to be more engaged on popular internet platforms such as Facebook. The prevailing popular nutrition advice online may increase consumer confusion, scepticism and even avoidance of dietary advice. Proactive efforts are needed by public health organisations, in partnership social marketing experts, to create and share engaging and accurate nutrition content. Partnership with celebrities should be explored to improve reach and impact of evidence-based diet recommendations online.

Author Biography

Divya Ramachandran, University of Sydney 1. Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia 2. The Boden institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Sydney School of Public Health and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney NSW, Australia

Research Assistant at 1.Prevention Research Collaboration 2. The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders

Completed Master of Public Health
Currently doing Masters in Philosophy at University of Sydney

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Published

2018-09-21

How to Cite

Ramachandran, D., Kite, J., Vassallo, A. J., Chau, J. Y., Partridge, S. R., Freeman, B., & Gill, T. (2018). Food Trends and Popular Nutrition Advice Online – Implications for Public Health. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v10i2.9306

Issue

Section

Original Articles