Análise de redes em ambiente virtual: relações entre comportamento alimentar, religiosidade, espiritualidade e florescimento humano

Abstract

Social network analysis (SNA) is a theoretical, multidisciplinary approach commonly used to study the interactions of individuals within their personal, professional, and behavioral contexts. Networks can be “invisible,” spontaneous, informal, and unplanned—emerging from social interactions—or they may be formal in nature. The flow of information within virtual spaces, such as Instagram, facilitates connections among people and their interests, serving as an important tool for accessing health related information. Food and the act of eating carry deep meanings; although eating is a physiological necessity, it is equally influenced by the environment and the society in which an individual lives, including the organization, structure, production, and distribution of food. Over time, it has become evident that the impact of individual nutrients is increasingly insufficient to explain the relationship between diet and health. Science recognizes that Religiosity/Spirituality affects physical and mental health, and there is a growing acknowledgment among clinical and scientific entities of the need to address this topic in clinical practice. There are situations in which dietary practices are intrinsically linked to religious contexts, influencing the production, consumption, and even acceptance of certain foods. The objective of this study is to analyze the possible relationship between Religiosity, Spirituality, and Human Flourishing in eating behavior and its connection with well-being. This investigation was divided into two phases: the first phase consisted of a theoretical foundation through the analysis of information produced within this field of knowledge, aiming to systematize and assess the state of the art on the topic. The expanded literature review resulted in 96 articles. The second phase of the study was based on Social Network Analysis Theory, with a practical approach involving data collection on social media, drawn from people’s everyday lives in their search for information, seeking to identify their interrelationships with eating behaviors and habits. The resulting network consisted of five clusters, each organized around a central thematic node. The theme “Spirituality” exhibited the highest degree centrality and the highest in-degree. The themes Spirituality, Religiosity, and Human Flourishing share a common field of interaction in the digital environment, with food and nutrition frequently associated with well-being and holistic care.