The Impact of Content-Based Network Technologies on Perceptions of Nutrition Literacy

Background: Consumers are exposed to obesogenic environments on a regular basis. Building nutrition literacy is critical for sustaining healthy dietary habits for a lifetime and reducing the prevalence of chronic disease. Purpose: There is a need to investigate the impact of content-based network (CBN) technologies on perceptions of nutrition literacy because use of content-based networks has increased indefinitely. Methods: A quantitative survey analyzed by structural equation modeling was used to examine 3 CBN characteristics: serendipitous nutrition discovery, nutrition information management, and social modeling in relation to nutrition self-efficacy and perceptions of nutrition literacy among a sample of undergraduate students (N = 349). Results: Users of the website Pinterest, the most popular CBN, provide support that perception of the CBN's ability to provide access to new and interesting nutrition content impacts feelings of self-efficacy when making dietary decisions. Translation to Health Education Practice: Content-based networks such as Pinterest may serve as a viable tool for increasing nutrition literacy by enhancing self-efficacy around nutrition.