Trends, reasons, and implications of retracted articles in nutrition and dietetics from 1997 to 2023 in the Web of Science: a bibliometric study

Purpose: This study analyzed retracted articles in nutrition and dietetics using bibliometric methods to identify their characteristics, trends, and reasons for retraction, thereby enhancing transparency and scientific credibility in the field.Methods: A bibliometric study was conducted using the Web of Science database to extract retracted articles in nutrition and dietetics without time or language restrictions in November 2024. The search strategy targeted the categories “nutrition & dietetics” and “retracted publication.” Additional data on retraction reasons were collected from the Retraction Watch database. Author-level indicators (e.g., number of authors, countries) and document-level indicators (e.g., publication trends, citations, retraction reasons) were analyzed. VOSviewer was used for keyword co-occurrence analysis, and descriptive statistics provided quantitative insights.Results: Between 1997 and 2023, 105 retracted articles were identified, authored by 523 researchers, and collectively cited 3,171 times. The United States and China led in the number of retractions (26.7% and 17.1%, respectively). Misconduct was the leading reason for retraction (87 articles, 82.9%), but 48 articles (45.7%) had no reason reported. Journals classified in the Q1 and Q2 categories accounted for most retractions, and 46.7% of the articles had funding. Keyword analysis revealed four clusters focused on public health, biomedical mechanisms, experimental research, and nutritional compounds.Conclusion: Although the overall number of retracted articles in nutrition and dietetics remains limited, scientific misconduct and insufficiently reported retraction reasons present ongoing challenges to the integrity of the literature. Improved citation practices and greater transparency in retraction reporting are essential to protect public health and maintain scientific trust.