Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. Eligibility Criteria
2.2. Search Strategy
2.3. Selection Process
2.4. Data Collection Process
2.5. Data Items and Effect Measures
2.6. Study Risk of Bias Assessment
2.7. Synthesis Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
4.1. Strengths of the Evidence
4.2. Key Themes
4.3. Public Policy Implications
4.4. Limitations and Areas for Improvement
4.5. Implications and Future Directions of This Study
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Years, Country | Population (Age Range) | Exposure | Outcome | Design | Key Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2020, USA) | 8–12 years | Social media use (hours/day) | Unhealthy food consumption | Observational | A positive correlation was found between social media use and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food among 8–12-year-olds in the USA [15]. |
(2024, UK) | 10–16 years | Food-related social media content exposure | Eating and eating behavior choices | Observational | Exposure to food-related social media content was associated with increased intake of high-calorie snacks among 10–16-year-olds in the UK [16]. |
(2021, Germany) | 11–18 years | Social media influencer marketing | Body image and dietary habits | Review | Influencer marketing of unhealthy foods on social media was linked to poor body image and increased consumption of advertised products among 11–18-year-olds in Germany [3]. |
(2021, France) | 13–17 years | Time spent on social networking sites | Meal skipping and snacking patterns | Observational | Higher social media use correlated with increased meal skipping and unhealthy snacking behaviors in 13–17-year-olds in France [17]. |
(2021, Australia) | 10–15 years | Social media food advertising | Food preferences and purchase requests | Review | Children exposed to food ads on social media exhibited stronger preferences for unhealthy foods and made more purchase requests to parents among 10–15-year-olds in Australia [18]. |
(2021, USA) | 09–16 years | Social media-based diet trends | Eating disorders and nutritional deficiencies | Content analysis | Participation in viral social media diets was associated with an increased risk of eating disorders and nutritional inadequacies in 9–16-year-olds [19]. |
(2022, Italy) | 8–11 years | Screen time, including social media | Obesity and physical activity | Observational | Higher screen time, including social media use, correlated with higher BMI and lower physical activity levels in 8–11-year-olds in Italy [20]. |
(2020, UK) | 15–19 years | Exposure to idealized body images on social media | Body dissatisfaction and restrictive eating | Observational | Greater exposure to idealized body images on social media was linked to increased body dissatisfaction and restrictive eating behaviors in 15–19-year-olds in the UK [21]. |
(2024, Canada) | 13–17 years | Social media-based food challenges and trends | Risk-taking eating behaviors | Mixed methods | Participation in viral food challenges on social media was associated with increased risk-taking in food consumption among 13–17-year-olds in Canada [22]. |
(2023, Turkey) | 15–18 years | Social media use intensity | Emotional eating and food addiction | Observational | Higher social media use intensity correlated with increased emotional eating and symptoms of food addiction in 15–18-year-olds in Turkey [23]. |
(2022, Australia) | 8–12 years | Exposure to peer food choices on social media | The influence of peer influences on eating habits | Observational | Children were more likely to mimic the unhealthy eating habits of peers seen on social media platforms [24]. |
(2022, USA) | 9–11 years | Food-related social media content creation | Self-perception and eating behaviors | Case report | Children aged 9–11 who frequently posted food-related content on social media exhibited higher levels of dietary restriction and weight concerns [25]. |
(2023, Canada) | 10–12 years | Social media-based nutrition misinformation | Nutritional knowledge and dietary choices | Content analysis | Exposure to nutrition misinformation via social media leads to poorer nutritional knowledge and less healthy food choices [26]. |
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Prybutok, V.; Prybutok, G.; Yogarajah, J. Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review. Encyclopedia 2024, 4, 1700-1710. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040111
Prybutok V, Prybutok G, Yogarajah J. Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review. Encyclopedia. 2024; 4(4):1700-1710. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040111
Chicago/Turabian StylePrybutok, Victor, Gayle Prybutok, and Jesudhas Yogarajah. 2024. "Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review" Encyclopedia 4, no. 4: 1700-1710. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040111
APA StylePrybutok, V., Prybutok, G., & Yogarajah, J. (2024). Negative Influence of Social Media on Children’s Diets: A Systematic Review. Encyclopedia, 4(4), 1700-1710. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040111