Eating practices of young people and social media: a bibliometric review

Abstract

Introduction: social media has become a powerful space for shaping young people’s eating practices, influencing behaviors, identities, and cultural norms. This study aimed to map research on this topic, identifying thematic trends and overall description, while highlighting knowledge gaps and future directions. Methods:  A bibliometric review was conducted following Moresi and Pinho’s framework. Publications from January 2019 to January 2024 were retrieved from Web of Science using DeCS/MeSH descriptors in English and Portuguese (“eating,” “social media,” and “young”). Data were analyzed with Biblioshiny (RStudio) to assess publication trends, leading authors and institutions, keyword frequencies, thematic clusters, and the content of the most-cited works. Results: A total of 232 publications were identified, predominantly articles (203). Research was heavily concentrated in the Global North. Two dominant thematic clusters emerged: (a) body image, eating disorders, and behaviors related to thinness and fitness culture; and (b) food marketing, influencer strategies, and digital health promotion. Over the period, the field shifted from primarily biomedical approaches toward behavioral and marketing-oriented perspectives, with growing attention to hashtags and online communities. Highly cited studies explored either the links between social media use and disordered eating or the effects of advertising and influencers on food perceptions. Conclusions: This review offers the first comprehensive mapping of this field, underscoring the need for greater cultural and geographic diversity and for epistemological innovation in behavioral nutrition research. Interdisciplinary and critical perspectives are essential to address the complex intersections between social media and eating practices.