Fitness misinformation proliferates online

By: Yasmin Hassan, Staff Writer

Content warning: mentions of dieting and eating disorders.

If you’ve been active on social media in recent years, you might remember seeing (or even doing) those at-home workouts that got so popular back in 2020. While promoting physical activity isn’t inherently toxic, the methods and attitudes promoted by many fitness influencers can be. Social media can perpetuate diet culture and spread misinformation under the guise of quick fixes. Fitness trends often promote an unhealthy obsession with appearance over genuine health and well-being.

Diet culture refers to ideas that falsely frame food as “good or bad,” and promote thinness as an ideal image of health. One study found that most fitness videos on TikTok are weight-normative, focusing on weight as a major indicator of health. For instance, as appealing as those “abs in 10 days” workouts may seem — they just don’t work. Achieving visible abs depends heavily on genetics and diet, and it’s rarely attainable without unsustainable long-term lifestyle changes. Promises of quick fixes like these will likely worsen your mental health, giving you unrealistic expectations, and lead you to over-exert yourself against professional recommendations. 

Chloe Ting’s popular “abs in 2 weeks” routine also doesn’t bother to explain proper form or the importance of rest days. While the “shred challenge” and FAQ on her website does include rest days and notes there’s no guarantee that everyone can achieve the same results — this information is harder to find, and could have been included in the video itself. The video has a disclaimer in the description about her titles being intended to get clicks, though it’s still misleading as many viewers don’t read descriptions. 

You shouldn’t compare yourself to people who make a living off their diet and exercise. Our fitness goals should ultimately come from a place of building strength and feeling good. 

Trends that sound too good to be true often are.

“What I eat in a day” videos have also become popular on social media, involving creators sharing their daily eating habits. These videos can provide inspiration and meal ideas. However, they often lack nutritional context and can promote unrealistic or unhealthy eating patterns if not viewed critically. This trend is another example of how social media can perpetuate diet culture, ultimately ruining the enjoyment of food for many people. Popular low-carb or keto diets aren’t the answer to most health or fitness concerns, and you can’t always tell if influencers are being honest about what they eat or endorse in their videos. While it’s great that people can share their personal experiences with nutrition, these videos rarely consider individual nutritional needs or credible, scientifically-backed information. Other trendy ideas like spot-reduction for fat or extreme monthly fitness challenges are common forms of misinformation. Trends that sound too good to be true often are; they can cause physical harm and disappointment when people don’t achieve the promised results. We should always be critical of the content we consume, but especially in relation to health.

Why should I hate my body if it looks a certain way? People should focus on their functional health, not “washboard abs.” When we prioritize aesthetics and dangerously impractical appearances, it damages our sense of self. These “fitness” trends contribute to body dysmorphia and unhealthy relationships with food and exercise. Activity and nutrition are important, but good things come in moderation. Don’t convince yourself that activities like gentle walking are ineffective. And when it comes to nutrition, focus on balance in your diet, getting all the major food groups, and consuming a variety of vitamins and minerals. 

You only have one body — it’s worth being kind to it while you can instead of punishing it with unrealistic expectations. Being thin or muscular doesn’t equate to being healthy. Listening to your body and making gradual, long-term changes rooted in science is a better approach to health and nutrition than conformed routines based on physique. The most important thing is to consult a certified healthcare professional, dietician, or physical trainer if you want to learn what works for you. But don’t forget it’s also about your mindset; having a holistic approach to health that includes mental, emotional, and social well-being will help establish a stable bond between your mind and body. As for social media, learn to control what media you consume — don’t let it consume you!