"HEY GOOGLE, HOW DO I LOSE WEIGHT?" A GOOGLE TRENDSBASED INFODEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION-SEEKING BEHAVIOR RELATED TO NUTRITION AND DIETS IN THE HUNGARIAN POPULATION
Author(s)
Fruzsina Zsuzsanna Szikora, BSc1, Dóra Szabó-Kurucz, MSc1, Irena Ilic, MD PhD2, Edit Paulik, MD PhD3, Márió Gajdács, MPH, MSc, PharmD, PhD3.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Non-communicable diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly 80% developing due to an unhealthy diet, obesity, and physical inactivity. While online sources have become primary channels for public information regarding nutrients, specialized diets, and weight loss, the validity of this online content is often subject to scrutiny. The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and intensity of information-seeking behavior regarding nutrition and diets in Hungary.
METHODS: Following an exploratory analysis of domain-specific keywords, a quantitative, retrospective, observational study was carried out using the Google TrendsTM database. Search intensity data was collected and assessed as relative search volumes (RSV) for the period between 2012.06.01 and 2022.06.01. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis, joinpoint regression) were carried out using IBM SPSS 25 and PAST 4.01 (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: During the study period, an increasing trend was observed for the keyword ,,kalória” (,,calorie”; 2012: 39.08±6.91 vs. 2022: 72.75±16.17; p<0.001). Conversely, a decreasing trend was noted for ,,étrend” (,,diet”; 2012: 71.75±9.86 vs. 2022: 67.42±8.54; p>0.05) and ,,fogyókúra” (,,weight loss diet”; 2012: 68.58±15.04 vs. 2022: 17.50±4.36; p<0.001). Search intensity exhibited a well-defined seasonality, characterized by a sharp decline at year-end, followed by a steep increase at the beginning of the new year. The top related queries closely mirrored the commercial life-cycle of popular weight-loss diets and nutritional supplements emerging throughout the study period. Gini-coefficients showed no substantial regional inequalities in search intensity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our insights underscore a seasonally-recurring public intent toward lifestyle modification at the turn of each year, identifying a critical seasonal window for deploying targeted digital health interventions. The sharp decline in search intensity for traditional weight-loss terms correlates with deteriorating national epidemiological metrics for obesity, signaling a potential shift toward passive consumer interest in transient dietary trends.
METHODS: Following an exploratory analysis of domain-specific keywords, a quantitative, retrospective, observational study was carried out using the Google TrendsTM database. Search intensity data was collected and assessed as relative search volumes (RSV) for the period between 2012.06.01 and 2022.06.01. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis, joinpoint regression) were carried out using IBM SPSS 25 and PAST 4.01 (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: During the study period, an increasing trend was observed for the keyword ,,kalória” (,,calorie”; 2012: 39.08±6.91 vs. 2022: 72.75±16.17; p<0.001). Conversely, a decreasing trend was noted for ,,étrend” (,,diet”; 2012: 71.75±9.86 vs. 2022: 67.42±8.54; p>0.05) and ,,fogyókúra” (,,weight loss diet”; 2012: 68.58±15.04 vs. 2022: 17.50±4.36; p<0.001). Search intensity exhibited a well-defined seasonality, characterized by a sharp decline at year-end, followed by a steep increase at the beginning of the new year. The top related queries closely mirrored the commercial life-cycle of popular weight-loss diets and nutritional supplements emerging throughout the study period. Gini-coefficients showed no substantial regional inequalities in search intensity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our insights underscore a seasonally-recurring public intent toward lifestyle modification at the turn of each year, identifying a critical seasonal window for deploying targeted digital health interventions. The sharp decline in search intensity for traditional weight-loss terms correlates with deteriorating national epidemiological metrics for obesity, signaling a potential shift toward passive consumer interest in transient dietary trends.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR5
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient Engagement
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)