A new study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health suggests that social media platforms like TikTok (despite having the ability to buy TikTok followers) may be an effective tool to encourage healthy eating and weight management, particularly among children and adolescents of color. Results of the study are published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting.
These findings highlight new ways to address racial disparities when it comes to chronic conditions like obesity. Obesity, in particularly has become an increasingly common public health problem. While an estimated 25% of all adolescents are considered obese, obesity affects a disproportionate number of children of color, with almost a quarter of Hispanic and Black youth struggling with obesity. Comparatively, only about 17% of while children are obese.
According to the study published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, social media platforms (TikTok, in particular), may play a role in changing that. Social media in general tends to be looked at suspiciously, especially when it comes to the health and wellbeing of children. This new study, however, suggests that platforms like TikTok are an effective way to promote health and wellness-oriented content, particularly content shaped by the preferences of children and adolescents.
During the study, researchers conducted surveys and focus groups of high school students (ages 14 to 18) in California and Massachusetts. Researchers gathered insight about participants behaviors related to weight and their overall health as well as their preferences for using social media. According to surveys, researchers found that participants far and away favored TikTok as a preferred social media platform, with Twitter ranking further on the list. Over 80% of participants even acknowledged spending some time on Tik Tok.
Participants also preferred to receive information about healthy habits from TikTok, and frequently shared this information with others on TikTok and Instagram. They also found that participants prioritized information from trusted sources and gravitated to content that they could relate to.
From the study, researchers recommend a slew of interventions to combat obesity health inequalities:
Sources: EurekAlert!; JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
