Health or thinness? A content analysis of dietary behaviors promoted by Filipino food blogs

Food blogging communities, which have been steadily increasing over the years, are significant sources of dietary behaviors. However, studies revealed that some food blogs do not promote healthy dietary behaviors. This study generally aimed to determine the textual and visual content of the top five Filipino food blogs. Overall findings of the study imply that the bloggers delivered information that was associated with greater internalization of the thin ideal, appearance comparison, weight dissatisfaction, and drive for thinness among readers. The content also has negative/guilt inducing messages about food which could mean that the recipes posted may have problematic nutritional content especially that most of the bloggers were just “foodies”, not nutrition experts. Although some entries were about health recipes, healthy eating choices, medical treatment and prevention, and exercising, which suggest that food blogs might promote healthy behaviors, this information has to be verified with experts. Filipino food blogs contain a variety of messages and information that may or may not promote healthy dietary behaviors. The results of this study could help provide awareness to those who get food and health-related information in the internet, specifically from the top Filipino food blogs.