The Importance of Being Evidence-Based in Fitness and Nutrition

Being evidence-based means more than just citing references. It requires properly evaluating the quality of research and interpreting the literature. Many people in the online world engage in reference-based nutrition or medicine, simply providing citations without considering the context or methodology. Moving from reference-based to evidence-based involves honing critical appraisal skills and distinguishing good from bad methodology. It's not enough to just cite a study; one must understand if it truly supports the claim. This is a wider problem in the online science community. The ability to discern a good study from a bad one, regardless of its design, is the true test of being evidence-based. It's important to focus on the specific research question and whether the methods and conclusions align with it.