WELLNESS AUTHOR
Allison Wojtowecz
HOW TO VET YOUR HEALTH INFLUENCERS n Should you listen to that TikTok influencer? Here’s how to know who to trust in the online health and wellness community.
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ho do you look to for health advice? Over the last 10 years or so, the answer to this question has changed dramatically. Think about your own behaviors: Are you calling your doctor to get information on what to do for your health or self-care decisions? More than likely, you’re not. Today, the biggest source of health information comes from what many people now call “Dr. Google.” And that trend of turning to the internet for information has created
OCTOBER 2021
a new phenomenon in the world: influencers. Whatever it is you’re searching for, there’s probably an influencer talking about it — and the health world is no exception. But how do you know if the person you’re listening to really knows what they’re talking about? There are a few things to pay attention to when it comes to understanding if an influencer’s information is sound or not. As someone who has been a health influencer before, I can tell you that there are plenty of people with large followings who don’t really know how to spot quality advice.
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But just because someone isn’t a doctor doesn’t mean they are wrong, either. So, how can you tell if they’re right or at least on the right track?
They are an accredited health practitioner.
This first one comes with a caveat. Just because someone is a certified personal trainer does not mean they know what they’re talking about with just anything health-related. But if the person you’re following has accreditations like: • Certified personal trainer • Certified group coach
