Bridging the gap: an infodemiological analysis of public and scientific interest in obesity and digital proxies of lifestyle-related discourse

BACKGROUND: The effective translation of scientific insights into public health action remains a challenge, despite ongoing efforts to address obesity. OBJECTIVE: To apply an infodemiological framework and examine trends in public and scientific interest from 2004 to 2023 in obesity and two behavioral and sociocultural proxy topics, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and body positivity. METHODS: Data sources included Google Trends, Wikipedia page views, and SCOPUS publications. Pearson's correlation assessed linear associations. Univariate and multivariate forecasting models projected future trends. Univariate forecasting suggests public interest in obesity will remain low through 2030, while exploratory multivariate analysis indicates a possible rebound, coinciding with a projected decline in body positivity interest. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal a divergence between scientific attention and public engagement patterns with obesity over time. While declining searches may partly reflect evolving terminology, digital trend analysis offers valuable tools for identifying gaps between research focus and public attention to support responsive, evidence-informed public health communication.