Background: Social media plays a central role in the daily lives of college-aged women, serving as a primary source of communication, entertainment, and health information. These platforms offer opportunities for promoting nutrition awareness but also present risks when unverified or misleading content is shared by unqualified influencers.

Objective: This study examined the influence of social media on young adult women, focusing on their understanding of evidence-based nutrition guidelines, perceptions of source credibility, and related behaviors.

Method: A survey distributed via Qualtrics at a mid-South U.S. university assessed participants’ foundational nutrition knowledge, social media use, and perceptions of information sources. The instrument was aligned with the most current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and included items addressing both credential recognition and demographic cues influencing trust.

Results: Participants (n = 332) were primarily White women aged 18–21, with 99% actively using social media. Most respondents recognized registered dietitians as reliable sources, yet over half also trusted “nutritionists,” a title lacking standardized regulation. While many participants correctly identified certain national dietary guidelines (e.g., carbohydrates as the body’s primary fuel), notable gaps persisted, particularly regarding protein requirements. Visual and demographic cues, such as gender, age, and race, also shaped perceptions of credibility. Nearly 70% reported that social media influences their food choices.

Conclusion: Social media shapes young women’s nutritional understanding and behaviors, with both informed preferences and persistent misconceptions evident. Findings highlight vulnerabilities in discerning evidence-based guidance, especially when heuristic cues override credential recognition. Interventions to improve nutrition literacy should integrate media literacy skills, clarify credential distinctions, and strategically feature diverse, relatable credentialed professionals in social media outreach.  

Social media, dietary guidelines, nutrition knowledge, sources of nutrition information, young adult women

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