Balancing expertise and influence

The Star

13 hours ago

Joint effort: A file photo of a boy completing a Malaysian Healthy Plate puzzle, designed to educate Malaysians about proper portions. The Health Minister said recently that food influencers should help promote healthy eating among Malaysians.
Stakeholders: Influencers need expert guidance on food content
PETALING JAYA: Untrained influencers sharing content on nutrition can lead to confusion or worse, even harm, say experts.
Any influencer who is picked to promote the Health Ministry's agenda, they caution, must have a background in healthcare and nutrition.
Another solution would be to have experts work with the influencers to disseminate the correct information, they say.
'While influencers have the reach, health information, especially on nutrition, should not be based on popularity.
'Misinformation spreads easily through social media, often overshadowing science-backed advice,' said ParkCity Medical Centre Dietetics and Food Services unit head Ng Kar Foo.
That said, healthcare professionals cannot work in silos either. Content creators can play a supporting role if they collaborate with qualified health professionals like dietitians, Ng said.
'More healthcare professionals should be empowered to speak up and share science-based information on digital platforms.' he said, adding that all health content should be reviewed by qualified professionals to ensure public safety and accuracy.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said recently that food influencers should help promote healthy eating among Malaysians.
He said the ministry would engage them to help promote a healthy agenda.
Retired health ministry director Datuk Zainal Ariffin Omar agreed that influencers can promote healthy eating if they base their advice on scientific evidence and not on fad diet trends or personal opinions.
He too said food content creators could collaborate with nutritionists and dietitians to ensure that accurate information is disseminated. Influencers, he said, should avoid promoting extreme diets or unproven supplements.
'The best approach would be to encourage food content influencers to partner with experts,' he said.
Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, dean of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's School of Liberal Sciences and Public Health Medicine Specialist said Malaysians are spoilt for choices over what to eat.
'Beside doctors and trained nutritionists, getting advice from social media influencers is a good idea. Influencers can promote positive lifestyles like quitting smoking, promoting exercise, the effects of alcohol and vaping and getting assistance for mental health issues,' she said.
However, she too warned of misinformation online.
'It is important to ensure that the information disseminated by the influencers are backed by science and data.'
Members of the public, meanwhile, felt that involving influencers could be a smart move.
Ali Imran, 21, who works as a barista at a fast food chain cafe, said influencers can make low-sugar drinks or a healthier coffee look trendy and fun.
This, he said, would be more appealing to the masses than an expert's advice.
'Experts might know the science behind nutrition, but an influencer's vibe could inspire them to try something new, like a fruit-infused tea.
'It would be good to have influencers work with nutritionists to share accurate tips,' he added.
Contractor Tan Han Chuan, 37, felt influencers could spread awareness because of the trust their audience have.