Instagram actually helps users eat healthily, study says

Instagram users post millions of food photos – whether to show off a sophisticated palate, make friends drool over chicken and waffles, or artfully arrange colorful macarons. A new study from University of Washington researchers describes how some people also turn to posting photos on Instagram to track food intake or to be held accountable by followers in meeting healthy eating or weight loss goals.

In the paper, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 16 people who consistently record and share what they eat on Instagram about the benefits and challenges of using the social media platform to achieve their eating and fitness goals. Instead of simply using a traditional food journal or app that requires users to write down or log everything they eat, the interviewees snapped pictures of what they ate in a day – and shared them on Instagram using the #fooddiary or #foodjournal hashtags.

“The benefit of photos is that it’s more fun to do than taking out a booklet or typing hundreds of words of description in an app,” said lead author and engineering doctoral student Christina Chung. “Plus, it’s more socially appropriate for people who are trying to track their diets to snap a photo of their plate when they’re out with friends – everyone’s doing it and it doesn’t look weird.”

The interviewees said that social and emotional support from other Instagram users helped them stick to their own tracking and healthy eating goals, and many strove to provide that support for others. In some cases, feeling accountable to other Instagram users and followers caused people to be more honest about their eating habits.

But users who ultimately met their weight loss, eating or fitness goals also found that remaining on Instagram – and helping mentor and encourage others – made it easier for them to maintain their desired behaviors and to continue to be mindful about their health, the study found.

Source: Good News Network