O papel das mídias sociais na disseminação do terrorismo nutricional: efeitos sobre a saúde e estratégias de combate à desinformação

Abstract

The term 'nutritional terrorism' refers to the spread of alarming and unfounded information about food and nutrition, often amplified by digital platforms. This information can lead to inappropriate eating behaviors, promoting irrational fears and harmful dietary practices. The present study aimed to analyze the impact of social media on the dissemination of nutritional terrorism and its consequences for public health, through a review of the existing literature. The research explored how social networks, by facilitating the rapid and widespread sharing of content, have become fertile ground for nutritional misinformation. Influencers, bloggers, and even some organizations use these platforms to spread myths and miracle diets without a scientific basis, negatively impacting public perception of healthy eating. In addition to mapping the main types of nutritional misinformation present on social media, this study aimed to assess their effects on individuals' mental and physical health, including the onset of eating disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and increased stress and anxiety related to diet. The research also investigated the vulnerability of different demographic groups to this information, highlighting the particular influence on adolescents and young adults. This work hypothesized that mitigating the harmful effects of nutritional terrorism is essential to promote a culture of critical information consumption, enabling individuals to discern between reliable and speculative content. The adoption of these measures will not only protect public health but also contribute to building a more well-informed and resilient society in the face of growing misinformation threats in the digital age.