The Dangers of Social Media and Influencers
How influential are influencers, really?
Turns out, the people we follow on social media, whether we engage with them or not, can significantly impact both our mental and physical health.
In this episode of Your Diet Sucks, Kylee and Zoë trace the history of influence, from ancient Roman gladiators promoting olive oil and wine to modern #fitspo influencers selling supplements and diet hacks. We explore why misinformation spreads so quickly online, what makes certain people more susceptible to it, and the hidden costs of endless scrolling through curated, filtered, and idealized images.
You’ll learn:
The surprising history of influencers in fitness and food
Why athletes may be especially vulnerable to online misinformation
The psychological and physical impact of social media on health
How to spot red flags in influencer marketing and protect yourself from bad advice
Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or just trying to build a healthier relationship with social media, this episode helps you understand the real influence of influencers—and how to make sure it’s working for you, not against you.
References
National Research Council (US); Institute of Medicine (US); Woolf SH, Aron L, editors. U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2013. 4, Public Health and Medical Care Systems. Available from:
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