Watching food videos on TikTok makes teenagers want to snack, but parents can reduce this influence, reports infohub.kz.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that food content on TikTok triggers appetite in young people. The focus groups involved 25 teenagers aged 15–16 from a school in the U.S. Midwest. Participants said they constantly encounter recipes, trends, restaurant reviews, and "What I Eat in a Day" videos on TikTok. Beautiful presentation, comments, and influencer recommendations quickly grab attention, causing hunger, cravings, and a desire to try new foods.
Teenagers are skeptical of sponsored ads, but authoritative bloggers still earn their trust. Adrianna N. Bell, senior research consultant at Delta Consulting Group, noted that parents often do not intervene in their children's daily social media use. However, shared meals and live communication distract teenagers from content. Additionally, critical discussions with parents help students question the credibility of diets and understand that influencer images are often unrealistic.