Digital Influences on Diet: Instagram Addiction, Picky Eating, and Their Impact on Heart-Healthy Eating Patterns

The growing use of social media has created new avenues through which food choices and eating behaviours may be influenced. This study aimed to investigate whether addiction to Instagram, a highly visual and food-focused social media platform, is linked to picky eating behaviours and fat and cholesterol intake patterns that may affect cardiovascular health in young adults.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 388 adults (80.9% female) aged 18-29 years in Türkiye between November 2024 and April 2025. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including the Instagram Addiction Scale (IAS), Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ), and the MEDFICTS dietary assessment questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS 24.0.

Significant differences in IAS, SMAS, and APEQ scores were found across MEDFICTS diet quality categories (p = 0.026, p = 0.006, and p < 0.001, respectively). Correlation analyses showed a weak positive association between IAS and MEDFICTS scores (r = 0.150, p < 0.001), and a moderate negative correlation between APEQ and MEDFICTS scores (r = -0.490, p < 0.001). In multiple regression, BMI (β = -0.148, p = 0.004), IAS (β = 0.184, p = 0.004), and MEDFICTS scores (β = -0.187, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of picky eating, explaining for 9.0% of the variance (R² = 0.090).

This study indicates a modest link between Instagram addiction, picky eating, and dietary fat intake in young adults. Picky eating was associated with lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, highlighting a complex connection between digital media use and diet quality.