Investigating the Relationship between the Use of Social Networks and Nutrition Literacy Level among Adults in Mashhad City

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Health Education and Health Promotion, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Digital health, particularly social media, has become a pivotal factor influencing health by enabling widespread information sharing, but it also facilitates the rapid spread of nutritional misinformation that can adversely affect public health. Given the growing importance of nutrition literacy in preventing chronic diseases and the emerging role of social media as a health information source, this study aims to examine the relationship between social media usage intensity and nutritional literacy among adults in Mashhad City. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a multistage cluster sampling technique was employed to recruit 360 adults aged 18–65 years from selected districts of Mashhad between December 2024 and September 2025. Data collection involved demographic variables, self-reported anthropometric measures, and validated questionnaires assessing food literacy, patterns of social media usage, and mobile social media engagement. Social media usage was quantitatively categorized into low, moderate, and high usage groups. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS version 21, with a two-tailed significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean nutritional literacy score (± SD) was 14.03 (±2.77), and the mean (± SD) social media usage score was 63.71 (±11.58.  There was no significant association between social media usage and nutritional literacy in both the crude model (B=-0.009, P-value =0.772) and the adjusted model (B=-0.01, P-value =0.714) in participants. Furthermore, there was no significant association between demographic characteristics and nutritional literacy scores.  Conclusion: Social media usage was not significantly associated with nutritional literacy in adults. Additionally, studies with larger sample sizes and more diverse populations, as well as qualitative assessments of social media content, are needed to better understand this relationship.

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References

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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 January 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 January 2026

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