Use of AI-Based Agents and Chatbots for Dietary and Nutrition Recommendations Among Adults: Patterns, Trust, and Behavioral Influence
AI-Based Agents and Chatbots for Dietary and Nutrition Recommendations Among Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54393/df.v7i01.216Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Chatbot, Diet, Trust, Health Behaviour, Patient Acceptance of Health CareAbstract
Artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbots and conversational agents are increasingly consulted by adults seeking dietary and nutrition-related guidance, yet population-level patterns of use, trust, and behavioral influence remain insufficiently characterized. Objectives: To assess use patterns of AI chatbots for dietary recommendations among adults, and examine trust, verification behavior, professional consultation, and sociodemographic associations, and to examine trust, verification behavior, professional consultation, and their sociodemographic and inter-variable associations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 adults using a structured, self-administered questionnaire; descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Spearman's rank-order correlation were applied. Results: Sixty-nine percent (n=138) of the sample reported using AI chatbots for dietary advice. Most commonly, ChatGPT (69.6%), primarily for weight management (27.5%), every week (37.7%). Most users perceived AI recommendations as reliable (76.8%) and trustworthy (79.7%), and 73.9% reported that AI had influenced their food choices; however, only 29.0% had consulted a qualified professional. AI use was significantly associated with age and gender (p<0.050) but not education. Reliability, trust, and influence were strongly and positively intercorrelated (ρ=0.92–0.95), while verification behavior showed negative correlations with trust and reliability (ρ=-0.316 to -0.346), suggesting that greater trust may paradoxically reduce critical appraisal of AI-generated advice. Conclusions: AI chatbots are widely used and trusted for dietary guidance despite limited professional oversight, highlighting a need for structured digital nutrition literacy and closer integration of AI tools with professional dietetic care.
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