Dietary choices among adults in the Province of Buenos Aires: motives and consultation references

Abstract

Introduction: The excess of digital information on diets lacking scientific support represents a barrier for individuals seeking guidance and could lead people to adopt inappropriate and risky dietary practices for their health.
Objective: To identify dietary behaviors and the sources selected for their implementation over the last 5 years among people over 18 years of age residing in the Province of Buenos Aires.
Materials and method: Quantitative, exploratory, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. An anonymous, semi-structured, self-administered survey (Google Forms®) was conducted. Dietary choices, types of choices, duration of adherence, consultation setting and medium, selected role models, and knowledge of their professional credentials were investigated. Categorical variables were summarized using absolute frequencies and percentages through descriptive analysis and compared using the X² test. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software (2.3.28).
Results: A total of 683 individuals were surveyed; 80.8% were cisgender women, mostly between 18 and 49 years of age. Of the participants, 47.1% (n=322) had followed a diet within the last 5 years, mainly motivated by health and aesthetic reasons, and most chose a conventional / hypocaloric diet. Among the most frequently consulted sources were nutrition professionals (64%), non-professional sources (18%), and both types of sources (18%). Instagram stood out as the most frequently chosen virtual platform.
Conclusions: Although registered nutritionists are the most frequently consulted professionals, the proportion of the population seeking advice from other sources without professional training in the field is noteworthy. Approximately one-third of respondents follow advice from individuals without nutrition training or whose professional status is unknown. The most popular diet and the one with the greatest adherence was the conventional or hypocaloric diet. Social media, which are widely consulted today, should be considered by nutrition professionals.