Partnering with Trusted Messengers to Combat Weight Supplement Misinformation

Boston University Researchers Test Creator-Driven Approach to Combat Weight Loss Supplement Misinformation

A pilot study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers has demonstrated promising results in combating misinformation about weight loss supplements on TikTok through partnerships with content creators. The innovative approach, co-led by Professor Monica Wang and Professor Matt Motta, engaged seven diverse TikTok creators with a combined audience of nearly two million followers to spread evidence-based information about the largely unregulated weight loss supplement industry.

The $33 billion weight loss supplement industry aggressively targets women, teenagers, and communities of color with often misleading claims on social media platforms. Unlike prescription medications, these supplements don’t require FDA approval before reaching the market, leaving consumers vulnerable to potential health risks including liver damage, cardiovascular complications, and promotion of disordered eating behaviors.

“Weight loss supplements are a largely unregulated industry that is aggressively marketed on social media to promote pseudoscientific claims,” Wang explained. “These products can cause serious harm and often exploit health anxieties in vulnerable populations.”

The research team developed an evidence-based digital toolkit containing credible, accessible messaging about health risks and regulatory gaps in the supplement industry. Rather than dictating content, the researchers gave the partnering creators full creative freedom to incorporate the information into short-form videos tailored to their specific audiences.

Results from this small-scale pilot were encouraging. Before receiving the toolkit, fewer than 1% of these creators’ videos mentioned that weight loss supplements don’t require FDA premarket approval. After implementation, that figure jumped to nearly 90% of videos created as part of the project. The creators also significantly increased mentions of specific health risks associated with these supplements.

This study builds upon previous research conducted by the Harvard Chan Center for Health Communication showing that training creators on health topics leads to increased public engagement with science-based content on social media platforms. It was also inspired by a similar campaign that successfully lobbied New York state to ban the sale of weight loss supplements to minors.

The approach represents a shift from traditional public health communication strategies, which often rely on top-down messaging that fails to reach vulnerable populations. By partnering with digital creators who have already established trust within specific communities, the researchers aimed to deliver accurate health information in more engaging and accessible formats.

“Science needs to be visible in the places people are getting their information,” Motta noted. “Our pilot shows that even with a small-scale, low-cost intervention, it’s possible to work with digital creators who already have trust and reach in their communities to deliver content that’s accurate, accessible, and engaging.”

The success of this pilot study suggests potential for broader applications. The researchers hope to expand their approach by deploying similar interventions at scale and studying how social media audiences respond to evidence-based content about dietary supplements.

This project highlights the evolving landscape of public health communication in the digital age. As misinformation continues to proliferate across social media platforms, innovative approaches that leverage existing community relationships and trust may prove crucial in ensuring accurate health information reaches those who need it most.

The weight loss supplement industry remains minimally regulated despite growing concerns about safety and efficacy. By bringing evidence-based information directly to the platforms where consumers are bombarded with marketing claims, this approach represents a promising strategy to help individuals make more informed decisions about their health.