Exploring the Power of Social Media Influence on Health and Wellness Trends
From high school students testing out the newest workout routines to jumping on the newest diet bandwagon, young, impressionable minds are often quick to follow fitness trends they see online. With the constant exposure to social media, students can be easily influenced, trying to achieve the latest health goals popularized by influencers and viral challenges.
On platforms like TikTok, health advice is often prominent but frequently unverified. While TikTok can be a convenient resource, it is always best to consult credible sources like the The Center for Disease Control, the FDA, and the USDA.
Nutrition teacher Mrs. Buford emphasized the responsibility of consumers when navigating online health information, saying, “One of things that could be done is that they shut down all the ones that do not need to be out there. But realistically they won’t do that as the platforms are gaining money, so it is up to us to be wise consumers.”
For instance, some student-athletes might turn to social media trends to explore new workout routines or diets, seeking to enhance their performance. However, the effectiveness of these approaches can vary based on individual needs, training regimens, and personal goals.
Even though social media can be a quick search engine for information, the information is not always accurate. Without the proper guidance, blindly following these trends can lead to improper training, injuries, and an alter in athletic performance.
While some student athletes might quickly adopt fitness trends seen on social media like TikTok, others are aware to be more critical of the advice they come across. Patriot High School track athlete, Nick Daly (‘25), shares his skepticism on social media diets trends: “I take everything I see with a grain of salt. So, If I see something on TikTok that is health related and then try and fact check it on Google if that concerns me.”
The pressure to perform at their best can lead to adopting strict diets to get ahead of the competition. Nutrition plays a vital role in athletic performance, but not all trends are healthy and can lead to long-term issues.
“In my nutrition classes, I have seen football players or wrestlers going on high protein diets, and wrestlers drinking gallons of water to cut down weight and taking protein powders that will eventually damage the kidneys, and I always ask them if they realize what they are doing to their body in the process,” Buford said.
Students- athletes are not the only ones suspected of this disconnect; the diet culture prevalent on social media promotes rapid weight loss, putting immense pressure on young children to conform to these unrealistic standards.
“Realistically you cannot lose ten pounds in one month, not in a healthy fashion at least. At this age, I tell them they need to go to a doctor and let them tell you to lose weight. When children try to lose weight and look like somebody who’s in their 30s or in their 20s when they’re 16 years old. That’s ridiculous. You have baby fat for a reason, you know. Don’t short circuit your body because you’re trying to get somewhere way faster than you need to get there,” Buford said.
The pressure to achieve adult-like physiques at a young age can lead to unhealthy dieting habits and a negative relationship with food, steering away from the importance of balanced nutrition. As young bodies constantly evolve, adolescence brings rapid growth, and changes to muscle and fat distribution.
Unfortunately, social media often presents conflicting portrayals of nutrition and body image, which can mislead young people about what is natural and healthy during this critical period of growth.
The appeal of quick fixes and viral challenges can easily lead young, impressionable minds down a dangerous path. By prioritizing fact- checking and having a better understanding of healthy habits and their evolving bodies, adolescents can fight the spread of misinformation one day at a time.
