The reliability and quality of short videos as a source of dietary guidance for cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Short-form video platforms are increasingly used as sources of health information. However, the accuracy and trustworthiness of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related dietary guidance remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, and content characteristics of CVD-related dietary guidance videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on April 7, 2026, using Douyin as the data source. A total of 98 videos directly related to CVD dietary guidance were included after screening. Baseline characteristics, uploader types, and user engagement metrics were extracted. Video quality and reliability were independently assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, and the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) instrument.

RESULTS

Among the 98 included videos, 59.0% were uploaded by professional individuals and 11.2% by professional institutions. Fruits and vegetables (98.0%) and grains and tubers (87.0%) were the most frequently covered dietary categories, whereas oil and salt restriction was less frequently addressed (47.0%). Videos uploaded by professional institutions and medical professionals achieved higher GQS, mDISCERN, and JAMA scores than those from nonprofessional creators (all P < 0.001). Video quality showed weak positive correlations with engagement metrics, including followers and likes (Spearman r = 0.24-0.31, all P < 0.05). GQS, mDISCERN, and JAMA scores were positively correlated (Spearman r = 0.35-0.40, all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Douyin videos provide accessible dietary guidance for CVD, but overall quality and comprehensiveness remain suboptimal. Professional involvement improves reliability and evidence-based content. Regulatory oversight, standardized quality criteria, and targeted education for content creators are needed to ensure accurate dietary information dissemination.