Obesity: An Instagram Analysis

Introduction Although the pathophysiology of obesity is widely recognized, its psychological and social aspects have received more attention in treatment and prevention. Social media technological advancements offer a quicker, more accessible, and broader platform for the dissemination of information. Hence, social media may significantly impact eating habits and body image development in children and adolescents, potentially turning into a risk factor for obesity if the behaviors being pushed are not consistent with a healthy lifestyle. Aim This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of content being circulated on Instagram related to the disease "obesity." Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted virtually over a period of ten days. Six hashtags related to the disease "obesity" were screened. Posts in the languages "English" or "Hindi" containing information about the disease "obesity" were included in the study. A questionnaire was made to assess these posts based on various pre-determined categories: type of post, type of information circulated, quality, reliability, and correctness. Results After applying the inclusion criteria, 420 posts were included in our study. 84% of the relevant posts were images/posts, and 15% were videos. Only 17% were posted by doctors, while the health and wellness industry posted around 54.52%. Survivors/persons suffering from the disease contributed to 13.81%, while that from dietitians was 6.43%, and that from new agencies was only 1.19%. The number of correct posts by doctors, nurses, and hospitals was 54.93%, and others were 37.7%. The posts by doctors, nurses, and hospitals were more reliable compared to others (statistically significant p<0.05). Conclusion This study highlights the need for continued monitoring and evaluation of the social media platform Instagram for the spread of healthcare information.