Background Many people experienced unintended weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been discussed widely on social media. Objective This study aims to describe the content of weight loss videos on YouTube (Google LLC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods By using the keywords weight loss during quarantine, the 100 most viewed English-language videos were identified and coded for content related to losing weight gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results In total, 9 videos were excluded due to having non-English content or posting data before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 91 videos included in the study sample acquired 407,326 views at the time of study and were roughly 14 minutes long. A total of 48% (44/91) of the sample videos included graphic comparisons to illustrate weight change. Videos that included a graphic comparison were more likely to have content related to trigger warnings (χ21=6.05; P=.01), weight loss (χ21=13.39; P<.001), negative feelings during quarantine (χ21=4.75; P=.03), instructions for losing weight (χ21=9.17; P=.002), self-love (χ21=6.01; P=.01), body shaming (χ21=4.36; P=.04), and special dietary practices (χ21=11.10; P<.001) but were less likely to include food recipes (χ21=5.05; P=.03). Our regression analysis results suggested that mentioning quarantine (P=.05), fat-gaining food (P=.04), self-care and self-love (P=.05), and body shaming (P=.008) and having presenters from both sexes (P<.001) are significant predictors for a higher number of views. Our adjusted regression model suggested that videos with content about routine change have significantly lower view counts (P=.03) than those of videos without such content. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate the ways in which YouTube is being used to showcase COVID-19–related weight loss in a pre-post fashion. The use of graphic comparisons garnered a great deal of attention. Additional studies are needed to understand the role of graphic comparisons in social media posts. Further studies that focus on people’s attitudes and behaviors toward weight change during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of social media on these attitudes and behaviors are warranted.

Background: Health information-seeking behavior (HISB) of college students is of importance due to health information inconsistencies at a time when personal independence and concurrent personal health decision making may be increased. Currently, there is a dearth of research about the HISB of college students, especially from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and describe the sources college students use when engaging in HISB; and to explore associations between HISB and demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students at a diverse, public institution in New York City. The sample was drawn from an institutional social science research pool and asked to complete a survey on HISB. A total of 226 respondents completed the survey. Results: The believed accuracy of the information found online was positively correlated with related behaviors and beliefs. The number of followers on Instagram proved to be an important mediator of HISB of college students. The number of followers a health information provider has was fittingly positively correlated with the belief that social media is a helpful resource for health information r(233)=0.18, P=0.01. Students from families with two or more generations living in the United States accessed health professionals more frequently than students from one or less generation (χ2=8.107(2), P=0.017). Conclusion: Targeted educational programs designed to increase health information seeking skills, including discernment of information quality should be a priority for college students.

BACKGROUND Many people experienced unintended weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been discussed widely on social media. OBJECTIVE This study aims to describe the content of weight loss videos on YouTube (Google LLC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS By using the keywords <i>weight loss during quarantine</i>, the 100 most viewed English-language videos were identified and coded for content related to losing weight gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS In total, 9 videos were excluded due to having non-English content or posting data before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 91 videos included in the study sample acquired 407,326 views at the time of study and were roughly 14 minutes long. A total of 48% (44/91) of the sample videos included graphic comparisons to illustrate weight change. Videos that included a graphic comparison were more likely to have content related to trigger warnings (<i>χ</i>²₁=6.05; <i>P</i>=.01), weight loss (<i>χ</i>²₁=13.39; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), negative feelings during quarantine (<i>χ</i>²₁=4.75; <i>P</i>=.03), instructions for losing weight (<i>χ</i>²₁=9.17; <i>P</i>=.002), self-love (<i>χ</i>²₁=6.01; <i>P</i>=.01), body shaming (<i>χ</i>²₁=4.36; <i>P</i>=.04), and special dietary practices (<i>χ</i>²₁=11.10; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) but were less likely to include food recipes (<i>χ</i>²₁=5.05; <i>P</i>=.03). Our regression analysis results suggested that mentioning quarantine (<i>P</i>=.05), fat-gaining food (<i>P</i>=.04), self-care and self-love (<i>P</i>=.05), and body shaming (<i>P</i>=.008) and having presenters from both sexes (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) are significant predictors for a higher number of views. Our adjusted regression model suggested that videos with content about routine change have significantly lower view counts (<i>P</i>=.03) than those of videos without such content. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate the ways in which YouTube is being used to showcase COVID-19–related weight loss in a pre-post fashion. The use of graphic comparisons garnered a great deal of attention. Additional studies are needed to understand the role of graphic comparisons in social media posts. Further studies that focus on people’s attitudes and behaviors toward weight change during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of social media on these attitudes and behaviors are warranted.