Sarcopenia and Nutrition on YouTube: A Content Quality and Reliability Assessment

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutrition Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass, is significantly impacted by dietary protein.
• Assessing the quality of online health information is crucial for public understanding and adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality, evidence base, and practical applicability of YouTube videos concerning nutrition and sarcopenia.

Main Methods:

• A systematic YouTube search yielded 41 videos on 'sarcopenia diet'.
• Videos were assessed by three raters using established quality scales (GQS, DISCERN, JAMA benchmarks) and reliability analyses.
• Qualitative analysis of reviewer comments identified common themes.

Main Results:

• Substantial variation in video quality was observed, with moderate agreement on scientific soundness but low agreement on health risks and dietary advice.
• Frequent issues included insufficient evidence, impractical protein guidance, and limited relevance for the target demographic.
• Positive aspects were less frequently noted, with concerns about personal bias and advertisements.

Conclusions:

• YouTube content on sarcopenia nutrition often lacks evidence-based quality and practical utility for lay audiences.
• There is a critical need to enhance digital health literacy and promote expert-generated, evidence-based online resources.
• Improved resources are essential for informed decision-making and effective sarcopenia prevention strategies.