This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Social media interaction increased maintenance of weight loss
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
A significant drop in pounds, especially during the critical period following weight loss surgery, can be linked to use of a social media site, according to study findings published in Translational Behavioral Medicine.
Sarah B. Hales, a PhD candidate, and colleagues from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, recruited participants for a weight loss study that included a 4-month follow-up support period to test effects of different plant-based diets. The support included private Facebook groups and monthly meetings.
The Facebook groups were based on each particular diet plan that participants were assigned to; however, joining was optional. Each weekday, counselors posted five different messages to the groups for the maintenance period. The posts included questions aimed at participant interaction.
“The findings from the current study show that people may engage with social media more if the messages they are reading encourage them to respond in some way or provide suggestions to help others,” Hales said in a press release.
Researchers found that poll-type questions led to the greatest number of responses as well as those that solicited feedback, offered suggestions and prompted engagement within the group.
“More research should be conducted to determine what differences may exist in how support is provided via social media vs. traditional methods in clinical settings,” Hales said.
Disclosure: Endocrine Today was unable to confirm any relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts