Characteristics, dissemination features and suppression mechanisms of rumors related to nutrition for chronic disease prevention and control

Abstract

Objective To explore the characteristics of involved illnesses, disseminators, communication routes, and victims of rumors about nutrition and nutients intakes related to chronic diseases prevention and control and to provide policy and strategy recommendations for establishing rumor suppression mechanism. Methods With online searching in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and National Newspaper and Magazines Index Database, we retrieved relevant literatures, reports and articles published between January 1, 2015 and November 31, 2019. Expert interviews and consultations were also conducted among 18 senior professionals in various relevant fields during September to December 2019. Results In all the disseminated nutrition rumors, the most involved chronic disease was cancer (being remarked in 25.13% of the rumors). Of the nutrition rumors, 40.91% were disseminated by means of self-media. Based on the estimation made by 55.56% (10/18) of senior professionals consulted, the ratio of online versus offline dissemination of the nutrition rumors was 8 : 2, indicating online dissemination as a major transmission way of the rumors. The majority (66.67%) of the victims of the disseminated nutrition rumors were the elderly people (38.9%) and chronic disease patients (27.8%). Conclusion The rumors about nutrition and nutients intakes related to chronic diseases prevention and control were mainly disseminated by online media and the potential adverse impact of the rumor is huge. Therefore, online rumor suppression and a long-term mechanism for cooperation among multiple social organizations in the rumor suppression should be promoted.