There Is a Difference Between an Expert and an Influencer

Unfortunately, way too much confidence and dollars have been placed on how many likes or followers today’s food voices have.

A study by a team at University of Glasgow found that just 1 out of 9 leading U.K. bloggers making weight-management claims actually provided accurate and trustworthy information. 

The health researchers studied the country’s most popular influencers, based on those who had more than 80,000 followers on at least one social media site, verification from at least two sites such as Twitter, and who had an active weight-management blog. 

Lead author Christina Sabbagh said, “We found that the majority of the blogs could not be considered credible sources of weight-management information, as they often presented opinion as fact and failed to meet U.K. nutritional criteria.

“This is potentially harmful, as these blogs reach such a wide audience.”

The findings—presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow—showed that a majority of bloggers failed in fundamental areas. 

Just because it's online doesn’t mean it is true or unbiased.

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said, “This study adds to the evidence of the destructive power of social media. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can take to the ether, post whatever they like and be believed by their followers. The bloggers will defend their right to freedom of speech to the hilt, but publishing junk advice is indefensible.”

Well said.