PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 21 A U.S. survey showed that an overwhelming number of people are following health and nutrition advice from the Internet -- but many don't believe its accuracy.
Opinion Research Corp. polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults across the United States and found of the two-thirds of people seeking information from the Internet, 82 percent said they are specifically seeking health and nutrition advice, however, of this group 62 percent believe its accuracy.
Nonetheless, 89 percent said they follow the advice.
A statement by the American Dietetic Association said that food and nutrition misinformation can have harmful effects on the health, well being and economic status of consumers.
For example, almost all soft margarine free of trans fat, but many Web sites still advise people to choose butter, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration supports soft margarine as the healthier option, as does the American Heart Association.
"Soft margarine is a healthier choice because of its content of good fats and because many are available in lower calorie versions," Dr. Barbara Howard of the American Heart Association's Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, said in a statement.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
