Investigating the effects of social media nutrition information on dietary behavior, BMI, and body image of college students.

Objective: To examine how exposure to social media influencers' (SMIs) nutrition information affects college students' dietary behavior, body image, and BMI. Participants: A total of 250 undergraduate students (≥18 years) from a southern U.S. university participated. Methods: A cross-sectional study used an online survey and anthropometric assessment. Validated diet behavior and body image scales and social media use items were administered. Analyses included multiple regression, ANOVA, t-tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: SMI engagement significantly predicted diet behavior (p < 0.001). Likelihood of trying SMI-promoted diets predicted BMI (β = -0.15, p = 0.024) and body image (β = 0.18, p = 0.007). Females reported greater body image concerns than males, whereas BMI did not differ by gender. No significant differences in dietary behavior, body image, or BMI were found across ethnic groups. Conclusions: SMI-related engagement, rather than general social media use, was associated with dietary behavior, body image, and BMI.