About this Research Topic

Background

Social media has become an integral part of modern society, transforming the way people interact, communicate, and share information. Alongside its numerous benefits, social media's influence on eating behaviors has gained increasing attention from researchers, health professionals, and the general public. This article collection aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between social media and eating behavior, shedding light on the impact of online platforms on individuals' food choices, dietary habits, body image, and overall health. This Research Topic aims to cover the following subtopics:

1. Social Media and Food Choices:  
• The role of food advertising on social media platforms and its influence on consumer behavior.
• The effect of food influencers and peer interactions on food preferences and consumption patterns.
• Comparison of online and offline food decision-making processes.

2. Body Image and Eating Disorders in the Social Media Age:  
• The impact of idealized body images portrayed on social media platforms, and dating apps on body dissatisfaction and body-related behaviors.
• Exploring the link between social media use and the prevalence of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults.
• Body positivity movements on social media and their potential to mitigate negative body image effects.

3. Nutrition Information and Misinformation:  
• Analyzing the reliability and accuracy of nutrition-related information shared on social media.
• The spread of nutritional myths and pseudoscience on online platforms and its implications for public health.
• Strategies to promote evidence-based nutrition education in the age of social media.

4. Social Media Interventions for Healthy Eating:  
• Evaluating the effectiveness of social media-based interventions in promoting healthy eating behaviors.
• Innovative approaches to leverage social media platforms for nutritional education and behavior change.
• Challenges and ethical considerations in designing social media-based health interventions.

5. Social Media, Cultures, and Eating Habits:  
• Cross-cultural differences in social media use and its impact on eating habits and dietary traditions.
• The influence of food-related content from different cultures on social media users worldwide.
• Understanding cultural perceptions of body image and eating behaviors in the digital era.

This Research Topic seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the interplay between social media and eating behavior. By examining the various dimensions of this relationship, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential benefits and challenges associated with social media use in the context of nutrition and health. Additionally, the collection will explore novel strategies to harness the power of social media for promoting positive eating behaviors and improving public health outcomes.

Keywords: social media, eating behavior, eating disorders, body image, influencers

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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