The TikTok logo at an event in Paris on Nov. 1. Photo: Chesnot/Getty Images
Health and dieting trends on TikTok glorify weight loss and may contribute to disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction, particularly in adolescent and young users, according to a University of Vermont study published Tuesday in the journal PLOS One.
Why it matters: It is the first study to assess content related to nutrition and body-image at scale on the the social app for short video.
The big picture: The study was based on an analysis of the top 100 videos under 10 specific popular weight loss, diet and food hashtags, each with over 1 billion views collectively.
What they're saying: "Each day, millions of teens and young adults are being fed content on TikTok that paints a very unrealistic and inaccurate picture of food, nutrition and health," Lizzy Pope, the senior researcher of the study and an associate professor at the University of Vermont, said in a statement.
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