Abstract
BACKGROUND: Emerging literature indicates that women increasingly turn to social media for medical information, including on diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). However, the quality of this information remains unclear. This study evaluated Instagram (IG) content related to DRA, exercise, and sports, and explored its perceived impact on the behaviours of women with DRA. METHODS: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. Public IG posts were analysed using the QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST) and exercise and sports suggestions for women with DRA were extracted. A global survey and semi-structured interviews with women diagnosed with DRA explored their IG experiences and its impact on exercise and sports participation. Descriptive and thematic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among the 1,000 posts screened, 28 were included. The majority (61%, n = 17) provided non-evidence-based suggestions; only 7.1% (n = 2) mentioned a scientific source. QUEST scores highlighted poor information quality. Twenty women with DRA participated in the interviews, from which six themes emerged: (1) Navigating DRA information; (2) Contrasting perceptions of DRA, exercise, and sports content on IG; (3) Disparities in exercise and sports suggestions on IG; (4) The influence of IG content on exercise and sports participation: a range from fear and avoidance to empowerment; (5) Beyond IG: information on DRA, exercise, and sports; (6) How women select and evaluate their information sources. Suggestions supported by literature positively influenced the lives of 20% of women (n = 4). Conversely, women reported experiencing confusion, misinformation, and nocebo effects due to assertive, non-evidence-based content. Both quantitative and qualitative findings highlighted the presence of prescriptive do/do not exercise and sports lists. CONCLUSIONS: IG plays a complex role in disseminating health information about DRA, exercise, and sports, offering valuable support, but can also pose significant risks of misinformation. Collaboration among healthcare and fitness professionals, and researchers is essential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information on social media, thereby improving overall health outcomes and sports engagement. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-025-03885-y.