This abstract explores the multifaceted relationship between social media and athlete nutrition, focusing on the influential role of Instagram fitness influencers in promoting healthy eating habits among athletes. It focuses on the role of fitness influencers who utilize the platform to disseminate dietary advice, recipes, and nutritional information to their followers. Through a comprehensive case study approach, this study explores how Instagram fitness influencers influence the dietary choices and habits of athletes, and to what extent their content aligns with established sports nutrition guidelines. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including content analysis, surveys, and interviews, to provide a holistic understanding of this phenomenon. Instagram, as a prominent platform for fitness enthusiasts, provides a unique lens through which to examine how athletes' dietary choices are shaped by the content disseminated by fitness influencers. The content analysis reveals recurring themes and messaging in the posts, stories, and captions of selected fitness influencers, shedding light on their approaches to promoting nutritional practices. Concurrently, athlete surveys illuminate the extent to which Instagram fitness influencers impact dietary behaviors among athletes. Interviews with both influencers and athletes provide qualitative insights, enriching the understanding of the dynamics at play. Findings from the research not only highlight the significant influence wielded by Instagram fitness influencers but also assess the accuracy and alignment of their content with established sports nutrition guidelines. Ethical considerations surrounding the dissemination of dietary advice on social media platforms are also discussed.
Keywords: Social media, Instagram, Healthy eating habits, Athletes, Fitness influencers, Sports nutrition, Dietary advice