SEARCH ENGINE USE FOR DIET-RELATED HEALTH INFORMATION AND ITS ROLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Background: The internet has become a primary source of health information, with search engines playing a crucial role in shaping dietary behaviors. However, the quality and accessibility of diet-related health information retrieved online vary greatly, influencing public health outcomes and exacerbating health disparities.

Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature on the use of search engines for diet-related health information and its implications for public health interventions, while identifying research gaps and future directions.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eligible studies included observational studies, cross-sectional analyses, mixed-methods studies, and scoping reviews examining the search behaviors, quality of information, and public health impacts of diet-related online information-seeking.

Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, predominantly observational in design, with most conducted in North America and Europe. Key themes included the variability in the credibility of search engine results, the influence of online information on dietary behavior changes, and socioeconomic disparities in access to reliable information. The limited number of longitudinal studies and the concentration of research in high-income settings were identified as major gaps.

Conclusion: This scoping review highlights the central role of search engines in dietary health information seeking and underscores the need for strategies to improve the reliability and equity of online health information. Future research should focus on longitudinal impacts, digital interventions to guide search behaviors, and expanded investigations across diverse global populations.