Findings Published on Instagram Addiction, Picky Eating, and Heart-Healthy Dietary Patterns in Young Adults

The research titled “Digital Influences on Diet: Instagram Addiction, Picky Eating, and Their Impact on Heart-Healthy Eating Patterns” was carried out with 388 young adults aged 18–29 in Türkiye, providing a comprehensive assessment of how digital media engagement shapes dietary behaviors.

The study identified a significant association between Instagram addiction and picky eating behaviors. Higher Instagram addiction scores were linked to more pronounced picky eating tendencies. Findings further indicated that picky eating behaviors were associated with reduced intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, which in turn resulted in lower overall diet quality scores. Although this pattern may initially seem favorable, the study underscores that limited dietary variety poses long-term risks for nutrient inadequacies.

One of the most compelling insights of the research is the potential for Instagram’s intense visual flow to shape individuals’ food perceptions and choices. In participants with heightened sensory sensitivities, repetitive, algorithm-driven content appears to reinforce picky eating tendencies. The study demonstrates that digital platforms effectively standardize the “visual food environment” for young adults, influencing their nutritional behaviors in measurable ways.

Assoc. Prof. Hatice Merve Bayram emphasized the importance of integrating digital media literacy interventions into nutrition education for young adults: “Food choices are increasingly shaped within a psychosocial framework driven by digital platforms. We must take deliberate steps toward understanding how social media use affects dietary behaviors.”

We extend our appreciation to Assoc. Prof. Hatice Merve Bayram and Prof. Arda Öztürkcan for their valuable scientific contributions to the field of Nutrition and Dietetics.