Title

Interest in a Twitter-delivered weight loss program among women of childbearing age

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Department of Pediatrics; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences; Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine; UMass Worcester Prevention Research Center

Publication Date

2016-06-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Health Communication | Health Information Technology | Health Psychology | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Social Media | Women's Health

Abstract

Weight management through the childbearing years is important, yet few women have access to efficacious weight loss programs. Online social network-delivered programs may increase reach and thus impact. The aim of this study was to gauge interest in a Twitter-based weight loss intervention among women of childbearing age and the feasibility of recruitment via Twitter. We recruited English-speaking women aged 18-45 years (N = 63) from Twitter to complete an anonymous online survey including open-ended questions about program advantages and concerns. Forty percent of participants were obese and 83 % were trying to lose weight. Eighty-one percent were interested in a Twitter-delivered weight loss program. Interest was high in all subgroups (62-100 %). Participants (59 %) cited program advantages, including convenience, support/accountability, and privacy. Concerns (59 %) included questions about privacy, support/accountability, engagement, efficacy, and technology barriers. Research is needed to develop and evaluate social media-delivered interventions, and to develop methods for recruiting participants directly from Twitter.

Keywords

UMCCTS funding, Childbearing, Obesity, Online social networks, Social media, Twitter, Weight loss, Women

DOI of Published Version

10.1007/s13142-015-0382-4

Source

Transl Behav Med. 2016 Jun;6(2):277-84. doi: 10.1007/s13142-015-0382-4. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Translational behavioral medicine

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

27356998

Link to Full Text

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