BACKGROUND
The impact of social media among adolescent peer groups can be a powerful change agent.
OBJECTIVE
Our scoping review aimed to elucidate the ways in which social media use among adolescent peers influences eating behaviors.
METHODS
A scoping review of the literature from inception to 2019 was performed using PubMed/Medline, Embase, Food Science & Technology Abstracts (FSTA), INSPEC, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), PsycINFO, ERIC, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases. The review was conducted in three steps: 1) identification of the research question and clarification of criteria using the PICO framework, 2) selection of the literature using PRISMA guidelines, and 3) charting and summarizing information from selected articles. PubMed’s Medical subject headings (MeSH) and Embase’s Emtree subject headings were reviewed along with specific keywords to construct a comprehensive search strategy. Subject headings and keywords were based on adolescent age groups, social media platforms, and eating behaviors. After screening 1382 peer-reviewed articles, 32 articles were assessed for eligibility. Participant age, gender, study location, social media channel(s) utilized, user volume and content themes related to findings were extracted.
RESULTS
Six articles fit the final inclusion criteria. A final sample of 1,225 adolescents (ages 10-19) from the United States, England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Brazil and Australia were included in controlled studies. Instagram and Facebook were among the most popular social media platforms that influenced healthful eating behaviors (i.e., fruit and vegetable intake) as well as unhealthful eating behaviors related to fast food advertising. Online forums and blogs served as accessible channels for eating disorder relapse prevention among youth. Social media influence converged around four central themes: 1. Visual appeal, 2. Content dissemination, 3. Socialized digital connections and 4. Adolescent “marketer” influencers.
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescent peer influence in social media environments spans the spectrum of healthy eating (non-pathological) to eating disorders (pathological). Strategic network-driven approaches should be considered for engaging adolescents in promotion of positive dietary behaviors.