The simple formula for losing weight: Eat less, exercise more and ... tweet
away?
People participating in a study by researchers at the University of South
Carolina's Arnold School of Medicine lost more weight if they used the popular
social media Twitter frequently to communicate with other participants.
The study utilized technology to encourage weight loss. Podcasts with
tips on nutrition, exercise and goal-setting were sent to participants' mobile
devices. Additional diet and activity monitoring apps were sent to only some
of the participants' devices, along with a Twitter app.
The main trial found little difference between the two groups, in part
because the people not sent the apps used similar weight-loss apps they found
on their own. Both groups lost about 2.7 percent in body weight.
But those in the second group who were most active on Twitter lost more
than the non-tweeters. Every 10 posts to Twitter corresponded with
approximately 0.5 percent more weight loss. (It's unclear whether participants
lost weight because they tweeted more or if they tweeted more because they
lost weight.)
The study, published in this week's edition of the scholarly journal
Translational Behavioral Medicine, is one of the first to examine Twitter's
impact on behavioral weight loss intervention, said USC researcher Brie
Turner-McGrievy. She suspects Facebook would help as much or more.
"Traditional behavioral weight loss interventions generally provide
social support through weekly, face-to-face group meetings," she said. "While
we know this is effective, it is costly and can create a high degree of burden
on participants.
"Providing group support through online social networks can be a low-cost
way to reach a large number of people who are interested in achieving a
healthy weight."
Turner-McGrievy proposed the study after reading a New York Times
reporter's first-person stories about how social networks helped his
weight-loss journey.
The study results were no surprise to Forest Acres resident Mary Pat
Bauldauf, who used social media to boost her own diet.
"It has definitely helped me," Bauldauf said. "When I first started my
journey over two years ago, I started a blog. I did it to both document the
process and to hold myself accountable.
"My nutritionist asked if she could share my blog with others, and
through that, Twitter and Facebook, I came across a great group of people and
resources that helped -- and continue to help -- me."
She and a Charlotte man on his own diet sent each other encouraging
Tweets several times a week, and a personal trainer in Washington sent her
motivational Tweets. Plus, she followed many healthy eating advocates and
organizations who Tweet recipes and tips regularly.
"I am a huge believer in using social media in a weight-loss journey, for
support and encouragement, information and recipes, motivation and kind words
to get you through the rough stuff," Bauldauf said.
The USC study was funded by the University of North Carolina Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center Population Sciences Award and the UNC
Interdisciplinary Obesity Center.
___
Distributed by MCT Information Services
