Teenagers turn to AI chatbots for dieting advice, receiving harmful weight loss recommendations

Summary

Teens in Memphis, Tennessee, are increasingly using artificial intelligence for dieting and weight loss advice, according to a report by FOX13 Memphis. Parents and medical professionals, including pediatrician Dr. Michelle Bowden, have expressed concerns about the accuracy and safety of AI-generated health advice for adolescents. Dr. Bowden noted that AI often pulls information from unreliable sources, such as blogs without medical credentials, and may provide inappropriate calorie recommendations that can lead to malnourishment. The report highlights that some teens following AI-generated diet plans have experienced health issues like low blood sugar, slow digestion, and, in severe cases, hospitalization due to dangerously low heart rates. Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has seen an increase in patients using AI for meal planning and calorie tracking, with some developing eating disorders like anorexia. Experts emphasize the importance of personalized medical advice over online tools.