Social Media and Teen Nutrition in Kenya: New Insights
Published in Healthcare & Nursing, Social Sciences, and Arts & Humanities
🔑 Key Findings
- High social media use: 72.5% of teenagers reported daily use, averaging 2.6 hours on weekdays and 3.1 hours on weekends.
- Popular platforms: WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok were the most accessed.
- Food-related behaviors:
- 34.5% watched food-related videos.
- 32.8% snacked while browsing.
- 54.3% were exposed to food advertisements, mostly fast food.
- Health impact:
- Access to WhatsApp and Instagram was linked to higher odds of being underweight.
- Exposure to food ads was associated with both underweight and overweight risks.
- Qualitative insights: Teens described aspirational consumption patterns influenced by online trends, habitual snacking during browsing, and strong exposure to fast-food promotions.
📌 Public Health Implications
The study concludes that social media is a double-edged sword:
- It promotes unhealthy eating through energy-dense, nutrient-poor food advertising.
- Yet, it remains an untapped opportunity for nutrition education.
For discussion:
- How can policymakers regulate online food advertising to protect adolescents?
- What strategies could schools and parents use to leverage social media for healthier eating behaviors?
- Could digital literacy programs help teenagers critically evaluate food content online?
👉 Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40795-026-01276-6
Follow the Topic
-
BMC Nutrition
BMC Nutrition is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of nutritional sciences.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
School-based nutrition interventions
BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection, School-based nutrition interventions. School-based nutrition plays a crucial role in shaping children’s eating habits and fostering lifelong healthy behaviors. By integrating nutrition education into school curricula, educators can empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed food choices. This Collection seeks to gather research exploring various methodologies, frameworks, and outcomes associated with school-based nutrition programs, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to nutrition education within the school environment.
Fostering healthy eating habits during childhood is essential for preventing diet-related chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being. Recent advances in the field have highlighted the effectiveness of school meals, food literacy initiatives, and the whole school approach in enhancing students' dietary practices. Moreover, innovative strategies that leverage behavior change principles are being implemented to engage children and families, creating a supportive environment for healthy eating. Understanding these dynamics can lead to more effective interventions and policies aimed at improving nutrition in schools.
If this research continues, it is likely to drive significant advancements in the development of integrated nutrition education programs that are responsive to diverse student needs and community contexts. The future may see enhanced collaboration between schools, healthcare providers, and local communities, ensuring that nutrition education is not only a subject taught in classrooms but a fundamental component of students’ daily lives.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Impact of school nutrition programs on children's eating habits and food waste
- Whole school approach to healthy eating
- Food literacy initiatives in schools
- Behavior change strategies in nutrition education
- Knowledge, attitudes and practices of school-aged children towards food and nutrition
- Food, nutrition and sustainability education in school-aged children
- School meals to improve student food security and minimize food waste
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: May 29, 2026
Nutritional interventions to prevent non-communicable diseases in the aging population
BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection that explores the nutritional interventions aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases in the aging population. We welcome research that examines dietary patterns, nutrient deficiencies, and innovative strategies to enhance health outcomes in older adults, ultimately contributing to the global understanding of nutrition's role in promoting longevity and well-being.
The aging population is increasingly at risk for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, and certain cancers. These conditions not only diminish quality of life but also impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems globally. Nutritional interventions have emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate these risks, focusing on the role of diet in managing and preventing chronic diseases. By examining how specific nutrients and dietary patterns can influence health outcomes in older adults, we can foster a deeper understanding of effective prevention strategies tailored to this demographic.
Advancements in nutritional science have highlighted the critical link between diet and health outcomes, particularly in the context of aging. Recent studies suggest that targeted nutritional interventions can significantly reduce the incidence and progression of NCDs among older individuals. Innovations in food for special medical purposes and a growing awareness of nutrient deficiencies have opened new avenues for research. By emphasizing the importance of nutrition in aging populations, we aim to equip healthcare providers and policymakers with the knowledge needed to implement effective preventive strategies.
Ongoing research in this field holds the potential to revolutionize how we approach dietary recommendations for aging populations. As we gain insights into the interplay between nutrition and chronic disease prevention, future advancements may lead to more personalized dietary interventions, improved guidelines for nutrient intake, and enhanced public health initiatives aimed at promoting longevity and well-being among older adults.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Nutrition interventions for diabetes prevention
- Dietary patterns and cardiovascular health in aging
- Nutritional strategies for neurological disease prevention
- The role of nutrition in cancer prevention among older adults
- Addressing nutrient deficiencies in aging populations
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Jun 04, 2026

Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in
Read more here; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40795-026-01276-6