Scientific nutrition sources link to higher knowledge scores among gym users, study finds
Among 700 Croatian gym users, choosing scientific articles or PubMed as a main source was linked to higher nutrition scores. Friends and social-media influencers were common sources, but the survey could not show that any source caused higher scores.
Researchers surveyed 700 adult gym users in Croatia. Selecting scientific articles or PubMed as a main source was linked to higher scores. The adjusted gap was 0.83 points on a 14-question test. The test sampled nutrition topics but was not a validated measure of expertise.1
Friends or gym peers were the most common main source, selected by 38.1%. Instagram or TikTok influencers were next at 32.6%. Nutritionists or dietitians were selected by 7.0%, and physicians or pharmacists by 10.1%.1
Because the study was cross-sectional, it showed an association, not that scientific sources caused higher scores. Researchers measured source choices, not how often participants read or understood scientific material. Online convenience sampling may have favored younger, more nutrition-interested users. The results may not represent all Croatian gym users.1
